HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 99

RECOGNIZING MARCH 21ST 2024 AS "ROSIE THE RIVETER DAY" IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, over 70 years ago there was a call to action, a demand for workers to fill the vacancies left by the men who went to fight in World War II; and

WHEREAS, more than 6 million women answered the call then, entering the workforce during World War II and providing the equipment, weaponry, and ammunition to achieve final victory and end the war; and

WHEREAS, these women left their homes to work or volunteer full time in factories, farms, shipyards, airplane factories, banks, and other institutions in support of the military overseas; and

WHEREAS, they worked with United Service Organizations and the American Red Cross, drove trucks, riveted airplane parts, collected critical materials, rolled bandages, and served on rationing boards; and

WHEREAS, our “ Rosie the Rivete r'', the women who worked and sacrificed to strengthen this country during World War II, are among the greatest living heroines in the United States; and

WHEREAS, these women persevered, despite often facing harassment from their male colleagues and disapproval from their male family members, and all the while continued to maintain their “other jobs'' as caretakers of children and their households; and

WHEREAS, minority women also overcame long-held policies of discrimination and made significant contributions to the war effort; and

WHEREAS, because of the “Rosies'', Federal, State, and local agencies coordinated with business owners to develop childcare programs and other supports for working mothers; and

WHEREAS, the example that these women set during World War II continues to inspire us and blaze a path for the working women and young girls of today; and

WHEREAS, the images of “Rosie the Riveter'' and the phrase “We Can Do It'' continue to symbolize the empowerment of women today, representing patriotic women who want to serve and strengthen their country, and to inspire young girls to become “21st Century Rosies” by aspiring to, and attaining positions of leadership in all walks of life in America; and

WHEREAS, Helen Rathbun was trained to rivet and worked on fighter airplanes during World War II and became a lifelong “Rosie”; and

WHEREAS, Helen dedicated her time to drive local veterans to the Veterans Administration in Wilmington for appointments; and

WHEREAS, on January 9th, 2024, Helen celebrated her 100th birthday in her home of Ocean View Delaware; and

WHEREAS, Helen encompasses all the characteristics of a Rosie who answered the call to action when our country needed it most.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that March 21st, 2024, is hereby recognized as "Rosie the Riveter Day" in the State of Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This House Concurrent Resolution recognizes March 21st, 2024, as "Rosie the Riveter Day" in the State of Delaware.