Thousands Rally In Richmond To Set 'Rosie The Riveter' World Record
RICHMOND (KPIX) -- A sea of red, white and blue filled a waterfront pavilion in Richmond Saturday as hundreds of 'Rosies' tried to break a world record.
A crowd of bandana-wearing Rosies -- 2,270 strong, including women and men -- gathered at the Rosie the Riveter World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond and set a record for the most people dressed as the iconic poster gal for female empowerment.
The Rosie the Riveter Trust organized the rally to get as many Rosie lookalikes in one place and break the record set last fall at a former World War II bomber factory in Michigan.
Oh Say Can You See...that we broke the record? @GWR #RosieRally2016 #WeCanDoIt pic.twitter.com/P6fIAlKPRS
— Rosie Riveter NHP (@RosieRiveterNPS) August 13, 2016
Several real-life Rosies described how their industrial jobs supported the Allies' victory in World War II.
Primetta Giacopini is 100-years-old. She made ball bearings for bomb-sight equipment.
"We're the ones who were working with the war because the guys were getting shot at," she recalled.
Priscilla Elder, 96, was an electrician at the Richmond Kaiser shipyard. She was happy to shine light on women's wartime contributions.
"I think we should get the recognition of anybody that did a great job. I'm glad I'm still living today to see it because it took 70 years to do something," she said.
Saturday's event isn't official until Guinness certifies the result, which usually takes a few months.