Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
After years of campaigning, America’s “Rosie the Riveters” may get their due.
The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate have approved the Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act, which would award the Congressional Gold Medal to those women served as Rosie the Riveters. The bill, as of late last week, was headed to the White House.
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Mae Krier, a Bristol Township resident who worked to build bombers out west during World War II, has championed the honor for her fellow Rosie the Riveters around the country for years.
“I started this effort in the 1980s because people didn’t know how important women were to the war,” said Krier. “After the war the men would say they would not have won without the women and what we made, but over time, people did not know that. Millions of women dropped everything to assist however we could. It was our job, not your job or my job. It was not about Democrats or Republicans. It was about saving the country. We made the country realize that women are capable. So I set a goal to make sure we were recognized. I was afraid we wouldn’t make history, but now our hard work has paid off.”
The Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act has been championed by local Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick, Congresswoman Jackie Spear, a Democrat from California, and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, a Democrat from Pennsylvania and Sen. Susan Collins, a Republican from Maine.
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Rosie the Riveters were key in the American war effort. They worked across the country, including in Bucks County, and led to about one out of every four married women working outside the home during the war.
“I am incredibly happy to see the Senate pass our bipartisan Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act. During World War II, women across our country, and across Pennsylvania, left their homes to work in support of the war effort. These patriots worked as riveters, buckers, welders, and electricians,” said Fitzpatrick. “These ‘Rosie the Riveters’ embodied the ‘We can do it’ spirit forever connected with the famous poster. I am especially proud to represent Levittown’s Mae Krier, who helped build B-17 and B-29 Bombers during World War II. Mae’s tireless advocacy for her fellow Rosies helped get this legislation through the House and Senate. I would also like to thank Senator Casey for his partnership on this important legislation.”
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“These ‘Rosie the Riveters’ played an invaluable role in our Nation’s efforts during the war. They rose to the challenge and set a powerful example – not only for working women, but for all Americans. Millions of women helped support our troops during WWII, whether they worked on assembly lines, addressed the troops’ medical needs or tended to ships and farms. Today, their example continues to inspire generations to embody the ‘We Can Do It’ spirit. The ‘Rosies’ are among our Nation’s greatest living heroines, and they deserve this long-overdue recognition for their tremendous service to our country,” said Casey.
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