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The volunteers of Our Town, Inc. are to be commended for their extensive efforts during the past two years to honor local women who served as Rosie the Riveters during World War II.
Their efforts began in 2021, leading to a special ceremony at the Elkins-Randolph County Public Library where 10 remarkable local women were honored and given Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition signed by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito.
Our Town's work has continued, culminating in five new members being added to the Randolph County Rosie the Riveter Honor Roll during a ceremony Saturday at Halliehurst Mansion located on the campus of Davis & Elkins College in Elkins.
The Rosies honored Saturday included Ruth Linger Bell, Wanda Laverne Pickens Bickel, Hazel Virginia Phillips Ramsey, Loretta M. Smith-Keller and Margie Alice Cavalier Thompson.
And Our Town isn't done yet.
"There are still women out there, and now that this ceremony is over, we will begin searching for our Rosies for next year," Our Town volunteer Bobbi Trimboli said.
Rosie the Riveter, of course, is the term used to describe women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, many of whom produced munitions and war supplies. These women often took on new jobs, replacing men who had joined the military and been sent overseas.
"A Rosie is any woman that was paid by the government to support the war effort during World War II," Trimboli said. "That doesn't mean they had to rivet airplanes, although four of this year's inductees did direct manual labor during that time. Ruth Linger Bell actually assisted Eleanor Roosevelt in securing homes for people with the Homestead Project."
Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco has been present at each of Our Town's Rosie celebrations to lend a hand and present certificates to the women being honored.
In addition to Our Town, Saturday's event was sponsored by Lavender Fields Assisted Living and Davis & Elkins College.
We greatly appreciate the efforts of everyone who has helped make these celebrations of iconic local women a reality.
For more information, or if you would like to suggest someone you know or knew to be honored in a future Rosie the Riveters celebration, call 304-636-0415.