By Kathy Chouteau
In 1942, after spotting a Department of Defense advertisement recruiting workers, Omezelle Gipson boarded a train in Little Rock, Ark. for a three-day trip to California. There, she became a welder in the Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond and took her place in the history books as a Rosie the Riveter.
“I was able to do it, and was willing to do it, and I was proud to do it with the boys,” said Ms. Gipson, now 100 years young, on Friday, March 21.
Ms. Gipson spoke on what was Rosie the Riveter Day at Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Park in Richmond, where trailblazing women like her were honored for aiding the war effort. The event also celebrated the national park’s 25th anniversary.
Celebration highlights included the presentation of a proclamation, and attendees signed a declaration honoring the park’s 25th anniversary. Speakers included Desiree Heveroh, local author, historian and SS Red Oak Victory shipkeeper who served as MC, Acting National Park Service Superintendent Lauren Gurniewicz, Rosie the Riveter Trust Board president Michelle Fadelli, Rosie’s Service Corps youth leader London Patton, and Congressmember John Garamendi, 8th District.
Also on hand? The women of the hour, real-life Rosie the Riveters ready for their “Rosie Roll Call.” Along with Ms. Gipson, Rosies in attendance included Toni Alcalde, Dorothy Finger, Elizabeth Tate and an elder who needs no introduction in Richmond, Betty Reid Soskin.
During a time when women were often homemakers, these “Rosies” flocked from all corners of the country to Richmond’s WWII Home Front to fulfill roles previously occupied by men, such as building ships for the war effort following the Pearl Harbor attack on the U.S. Along the way, Rosies from varying ethnicities and experiences simultaneously waged personal battles for minority, women’s and labor rights. In turn, Richmond’s population exploded from 23,000 to 100,000 during 1940 to 1945.
“These women left their homes and families and came to do the work that we needed to be our partner to the world in preserving safety and justice in Europe. So we’re just so honored to help tell their stories,” said acting National Park Service Superintendent Lauren Gurniewicz, while also emphasizing the importance of supporting the park.
Congressmember Garamendi paid tribute to the Rosies and said that the lesson of the 40s, and the lesson of the work that was done by these women and others is something that we need to carry with us every day. “It’s the opportunity to participate, the opportunity to fundamentally address the challenges that we have.”
The congressmember further shared that 30 percent of employees of the National Park Service are being fired today, referencing the Trump administration’s payroll reduction goals.
Sarah Pritchard, executive director of Rosie the Riveter Trust, the park’s philanthropic partner, recently told the Standard that Richmond hasn’t had any staff layoffs, but that two staffing cuts have been made at John Muir National Historic Site in Martinez. The fallout from these regional cuts have been felt at the Richmond park.
“When two at another park are let go, other people have to sort of come in and help with where those gaps are,” said Pritchard, adding where they are being affected. “It’s stress, it’s physically, mentally having effects on staff, and that’s shared amongst many other federal workers. And so, this is a time for all of us to be of support.”
Throughout Friday’s Rosie the Riveter Day celebration, the national park’s rangers offered no hint at the turmoil underneath. Just like the hardworking Rosies during WWII.
Want to visit? The national park’s Visitor’s Center is located at 1414 Harbour Way S., Suite 3000, in Richmond. Find out about other upcoming events associated with the park’s 25th anniversary here.
