By Kathy Chouteau
The historic SS Red Oak Victory recently drew more than 100 people from as far away as Hawaii to celebrate the 100th birthdays of two original “Rosie the Riveters,” Jeanne Gibson and Marian Sousa. Sousa, whose 100th birthday was Jan. 6, remained home due to recent health concerns that made navigating the ship’s gangway and ladders a safety risk. However, Gibson, whose birthday is Feb. 22, was present.
Dori Luzbetak, a Red Oak Victory volunteer who serves as the ship’s photographer and marketing manager, said the venue was the perfect choice for the occasion. “What better place is there to celebrate the birthdays of two original Rosies than on a ship that Rosies helped build?” said Luzbetak. “It was a really, really beautiful tribute to these women’s lives.”
Sousa even worked in the Richmond Shipyard where the Red Oak Victory was built, and sailed on the ship in 1998 when it was first towed from the “mothball fleet” in the Carquinez Strait back to Richmond, according to Tammy Brumley, a longtime “Rosie wrangler” for Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park.
Ever the determined “Rosie,” Sousa the centenarian even hoped she could attend the party by being hoisted onto the Red Oak Victory’s deck in the “skip box”—a crane-operated supply crate—but, alas, the Coast Guard does not permit human transport in the boxes, Brumley added.
The birthday party was held in “Hold 4,” the section of the vessel that served as a cargo hold during its active years, but now houses the ship’s museum and dance floor. The celebration spilled over into “Hold 3,” the ship’s movie theater where documentaries and clips were shown, including footage of the Rosies’ involvement with the Gary Sinise Foundation.
The decor featured a festive balloon arch and tables adorned by an event planning company. Along the narrow hallways, organizers displayed blown-up original black-and-white photos of Gibson and Sousa, alongside artifacts highlighting their lives—such as textiles created by Gibson and artwork by Sousa.
In a poignant nod to her post-war career as a teacher, two of Gibson’s former first-grade students from 1964 attended the party to surprise their former teacher.
The program featured remarks from Sarah Pritchard, executive director of the Rosie the Riveter Trust, along with Angel Greer and Rennae Ross, two boilermakers involved in the ship’s revival project. Brumley, who organized the birthday party, served as emcee and led the crowd in a rendition of “Happy Birthday” as Gibson was presented with a decorated cake.
To capture memories for both centenarians, organizers set up two red telephones. Guests were encouraged to pick up the receivers and leave recorded audio birthday messages—one phone for Gibson and one for Sousa. For those preferring the written word, colored notepads were provided for handwritten notes.
The event featured a high-end spread catered by Richmond’s Bubbaloo Café. The buffet included appetizers like Pork Shanghai Lumpia, followed by main entrees of Pot Roast, Seared Pepper Salmon and Chicken Masala. For dessert, guests enjoyed lemon bars, brownie bites, and chocolate chip cookies, complimented by a box of Ghirardelli chocolate cupcakes brought by Jill and Janu Osato.
Luzbetak noted that many guests snapped photos of Gibson, while the atmosphere remained focused on the profound impact the two women have had on the Richmond community and beyond.
“It was very thoughtful, all the effort that they put into the displays and the decorations and the way that people could leave the birthday messages,” said Luzbetak.
Brumley organizes “Rosie Fridays” at the national park, where the women share their Richmond Home Front stories with the public. She noted that Sousa is the only “Rosie” remaining from the original group of docents she started with. Gibson also has joined the docents; check the schedule to see them both at the national park on Fridays. The Visitor Center is at 1414 Harbour Way South, Suite 3000, in Richmond. Questions? Call 510-232-5050.
