Rosie The Riveter Remembers Summary

The idea of a woman's roll in society has been ever changing. In Pat Kaufman's article "Rosie the Riveter Remembers" gives insight to the role women played in society during World War II and the diversity they faced. For years women have been suppressed by the government, for instance during the Great Depression when they were told not to take available jobs away from men. Ironically, it would be women who were needed to help to country survive in World War II. A campaign was launched with the purpose of encouraging women to join the work force and thus Rosie the Riveter was born. Throughout the article, Kaufman focuses on four different women and their experiences joining the war effort. When America needed help the most, women stepped

up to the plate and answered the call. Almost six million women entered the work force, many for the first time able to break free of cultural perception of what women's work was.
With America at war it became acceptable for woman to work outside the home and this began breaking down the social and ideological barriers.

War became the stepping stone the revolutionized the perceived role of women in society. American war efforts helped women transition from domestic responsibilities into a work force that had traditionally been male dominant. War necessitated taking women out of the kitchen and putting them into the work force, therefore forever changing the way society viewed the role of women.

During the war it became clear that women were needed as riveters on B17 bombers, assembly line workers, and working as machinists. One woman such as Inez Sauer, was a mother of three children who had never worked outside the home took a job at Boeing. After taking a job at Boeing, Sauer quickly realized that those around her did not support her will to join the war efforts. With the will to learn Inez Sauer became the first woman to become chief clerk. It was at Boeing, where Inez received an education on not only tools but about people, unions, and an independence she had never

known.
Many women found themselves facing racism like Sybil Lewis who was given a harder job just because she was black. Another issue women faced was sexism, where they got paid less than a man for doing the same job. One woman such as Adele Erenberg, who found herself capable and wanting to do more to further help the war efforts. Erenberg was intrigued not only by the money offered but the challenge. While working at A.D.E.L., Erenberg was subject to discrimination that only fuelled her desire to succeed and prove herself capable. Many companies are not in favor of unions, which is why it caught the attention of upper management when Adele tried to recruit. It was not long Adele found herself moved to another plant after getting the union through. Just like in today's society many corporations are not in favor of unions and try to remove the workers trying to unionize.
When the war was over many of the women found themselves jobless as the soldiers returned home from war.

In many cases the women were forced off the floor even though they were more efficient and better suited for the job. In today's society women are still trying to compete for equal wages and job opportunities. The scope of this article ranges from the start of World War II to the end of World War II. This article depicts women's life as they worked through the war years to help their country. Throughout this article it is quite clear that women were more than willing to rise to the occasion to help the war succeed. World War II is responsible for helping women broaden their horizons and had a ripple effect around the world. "Rosie the Riveter Remembering" showed how woman were and still trying to fit into a "mans"

world.
This article is very informative about the trials and tribulations that women went through to join the work force. Kaufman, did a very good job of getting the reader's attention and used multiple examples of women and how they overcame diversity. This article is very well written and easy to follow, and highly recommended.