When we embarked on this project five years ago, our goal was simple, and to be honest, somewhat naive. We wanted to recognize the women who were our foremothers; women who, during WWII, worked in non-traditional jobs just as we do. But we couldn’t have imagined how much the process would affect us as producers. This last 5 years has taught us so very much--we continue to be amazed and grateful. We are constantly reminded of the compelling power of each woman’s story; a story that goes beyond building airplanes or welding ships. It’s a story that spans a century of living.

Risk takers, most Rosies were just teenagers when they hired on. Many had never left home. They rode crowded trains across country with almost empty pockets and a paper bag full of lunch, seeking, just as earlier pioneers, adventure, a decent paycheck and food in their bellies. They lived in boarding houses, they trained and they worked. They slogged through exhaustive hours, long overtime, split shifts, interminable bus and ferry rides, sexual and racial oppression.

As time went on, they married and raised families, some continued to work in non-traditional jobs, some ran restaurants, others were accountants, teachers, counselors, nurses, and more. Many out lived more than a few husbands; most still live independently. They’re active in their communities as volunteers, they take care of children and the elderly, they grow gardens, they walk Green Lake. All carry with them a fervor just as vibrant as the one that led them to choose their original path.

For them, the Rosie experience left an indelible mark, and though they seldom express it outright, it has affected each of their lives in an undeniable way, and in turn, acutely affects ours. Every year, it gets harder and harder to find and gather our calendar girls--these women are national treasures with, unfortunately, an expiration date. But we continue to seek them out, we continue to take their snapshots and listen to their stories, because we know that the gift we receive, far supercedes the one we give.

May we always hold close to our hearts, the
“We Can Do it” spirit!

As you may well imagine, we’re always on the prowl for the perfect cover photo. Often, it inspires the overall theme of the calendar. This year, we hit the jackpot when Erna Ford (Miss March) pulled this one out of her stash of vintage photos. We couldn’t have found a better image, even if we’d painted it ourselves--these two young women capture the essence of the era completely!

Each is wearing the Rosie trademark bandanna, as well as dungarees and saddleshoes. Each has that hopeful look of youth, but there’s more. Behind their eyes, we see a child of the Depression, we see the ice cold fear of war, we feel the heartbreak of saying goodbye to our sweethearts. We watch the newsreels--we see FDR and Eleanor. We rejoice over battles won and we weep for their losses. We hear Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby and The Andrews Sisters. We untie our saddleshoes and paint lines down the backs of our legs so everyone will think we’re wearing silk stockings. Then we find a lonesome sailor and dance the jitterbug at the Trianon.

It took a bit of restoration, but thanks to the magic of photoshop and more than a few hours, we were able to give this photo some color AND bring it back to its original luster.

Thanks Erna!