The slogan that she was known for was “We Can Do It!” this was in reference to how women can work in fields that were primarily meant for men. She became symbolic especially in industrial labor jobs. Women weren’t just working in industries they also had jobs in the government and even the military, though it should be noted that they were not in combat roles, but clerical jobs. In addition, women were also employed as Army and Navy nurses. As stated in the textbook, The American Yawp, “The Nurse Corps Reserves alone commissioned 150,000 Army and Navy nurses recruited by the American Red Cross”. This number is staggering and helped the U.S military significantly by saving the lives of the service men. In addition, women also contributed to the American Red Cross by helping pack and ship military supplies overseas. The symbolism of Rosie the Riveter was significant because women rarely ever worked in industrial factories and in military …show more content…
For example, organizations like the National Organization for Women, which was a group of feminists who wanted equal rights for women specifically in the workforce, came out with the “Statement of Purpose” in 1966. The Statement of Purpose entailed details in regards to how women were over the stereotypical status quo that they were associated with. They wanted to work and be treated as the human beings that they were. As stated in the textbook, “The American Yawp”, “With a life span lengthened to nearly 75 years it is no longer either necessary or possible for women to devote the greatest part of their lives to child-rearing; yet childbearing and raring which continues to be a most important part of most women’s lives—still is used to justify baring women from equal professional and economic participation and advance”. In this regard, women are coming out and saying they no longer want to be just a mom or a housewife they want the careers, education and to make money just like the men in society are. Basically, society says that because you are a woman you can’t work because you were meant to reproduce. I find that to be alarming because I couldn’t imagine a society where women were not working. For example, my mom was a nurse and she provided for my family just as my dad did. I personally feel like “Rosie the Riveter” probably influenced these