To mark the 25th anniversary of Richmond’s Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park, U.S. Rep. John Garamendi and a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers introduced legislation to create a commemorative coin to honor the millions of women who supported country during World War II.
The “Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act” calls for a series of commemorative coins to be designed that capture the great diversity of the World War II Home Front workforce. The surcharges from the sale of thee coins will support the maintenance and repair of the Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park and help fund educational and commemorative programming, according to a press release sent out by Garamendi’s office.
Library of Congress
“This bill is a key step honoring millions of women for selflessly supporting the wartime effort during World War II,” said Rep. Garamendi in the release. “I’m proud that as the first bill I introduced this Congress, the Rosie the Riveter Commemorative Coin Act is a testament to our community’s own Rosie the Riveter National Historical Park, where Rosies at the Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond helped produce more than 700 vessels during World War II. These commemorative coins will serve to remind us of the dedication of these women as they made countless contributions to their country while spearheading women’s empowerment for decades to come.”
Sarah Pritchard, executive director of the Rosie the Riveter Trust in Richmond, the official philanthropic partner of park, said in the press release she’s inspired by the bipartisan efforts to honor Rosies’ legacy, how they shaped the outcome of war and laid the foundation for modern workforce diversity and equity practices.
“This recognition ensures their contributions remain a beacon for future generations, embodying resilience, unity, and progress,” Pritchard said.
If you go
WHAT: Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historic Park
WHEN: Open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., daily except major holidays.
WHERE: 1414 Harbour Way South, Richmond 94804 (in the old Ford Building Oil House)
INFO: Visit Rosie the Riveter website or call 510-232-5050, Ext. 0
Between 1940 and 1945, the percentage of women in the workforce jumped from 27% to nearly 37%. By the end of the war, nearly 1-in-4 married women worked outside the home. As riveters, welders, and other laborers, this diverse women workforce played an integral part in meeting the ever-growing war-effort demand for materials in factories, shipyards, and farms, as well as for support services in schools and hospitals.
On April 10, 2024, Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to Rosie the Riveter in honor of every woman who supported American war efforts during World War II.
Next week, Richmond historian Karen Buchanan will give a free talk about what happened to women and people of color in Richmond after World War II.
Join her Jan. 22, at 6:30 p.m. at the West Side Branch Library, 135 Washington Ave.
