Rosie the Riveter: Women Working on the Homefront in World War II

by Penny Colman

Illustrated with black-and-white photographs. When America's men went off to war in 1942, millions of women were recruited, through posters and other propaganda, to work at non-traditional jobs.  In defense plants, factories, offices, and everywhere else workers were needed, they were--for the first time--well paid and financially independent.  But eventually the war ended, and the government and industries that had once persuaded them to work for the war effort now instructed them to return home and take care of their husbands and children.  Based on interviews and original research by noted historian Penny Colman, Rosie the Riveter shows young readers how women fought World War II from the home front.  

Genres: Nonfiction, History, World War II, Historical, School, Childrens, Labor

120 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Penny Colman is the author of award-winning biographies and social histories. Her intriguing topics range from Rosie the Riveter: Women Working on the Home Front in World War II to Corpses, Coffins, and Crypts: A History of Burial. A popular speaker, Penny has appeared on television and radio, including National Public Radio, and on Book TV, C-Span2.
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She has been honored by the New Jersey State Legislature for her books and public appearances that have “contributed to the advancement of women.” The New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs presented her with the New Jersey Women of Achievement Award.

A graduate of The University of Michigan and The Johns Hopkins University, Penny has taught nonfiction literature and creative writing at various colleges and universities, including Teachers College, Columbia University and Queens College, The City University of New York, where she was a Distinguished Lecturer.

Reviews

[Tanvi Prakash · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely collection of anecdotes, factsfacts and pictures

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I am reviewing this book it does not have the cover on display. That is rather unfortunate because the Norman Rockwell original "Rosie the Riveter" image used is quite lovely. I purchased this book at the USS Midway Museum. They had a whole section dedicated to women's contribution to WWII. I purchased a few of those items and I'm glad this was one of them. There is so much information about the home front that I did not know. Thinking about the contributions these women made and how they still positively affect me today is quite humbling.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

The role of women during war — especially WWII — is fascinating to me, and this book does a good job of examining the government’s role in getting women to enter the workforce, covering the most popular jobs and the most common experiences of the women. There are plenty of images, advertisements, and photographs which pair nicely with the text and really make this book appealing!
The author uses the memories of Dot Chastney (a child growing up during the war) as a thread to weave together the stories of the working women and the WWII timeline. Dot recalls how she, her family, her school, and her town felt and how they responded to the war and all the changes.
The text touches on the formation of various government agencies and focuses on these agencies’ methods (propaganda being the most popular) for getting women to apply for all of the jobs which suddenly became available due to men enlisting. Oddly enough, the ads applaud women for being strong and doing a man’s work, all the while encouraging them to still be feminine and attentive to their duties in the home.
There are personal accounts from women explaining why they took the jobs they did, how their husbands felt, and the struggles they faced working a “man’s job” in an unfamiliar environment. Many of these women express the unexpected pleasure they felt in learning a skill, and then the sense of accomplishment when they did their job well. Of course these women faced some resistance from their own husbands and family members, as well as bosses and fellow workmen.
Hats off to the author for mentioning (briefly) the role of African American men and women, Native American women, disabled women, wounded or disabled servicemen, and even children. Did you know the government temporarily suspended child labor laws to meet war production needs?
I noticed a few grammar errors, and some awkward wording — my only complaint!
A nice book to flip through and enjoy, or to read and savor!

[Karen Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best quote in the book:
After listening to yet another war broadcast on the radio, a child asked her father--
"What do the men on the news talk about when there is no war?"

[Ann Aldrich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written documentary filled with informative facts, interviews, and reference materials. Among the things I didn't know:

The US labor shortage during WWII was so severe that child labor laws were waived so that 12-18 year olds could join the workforce.

The model for the Norman Rockwell "Saturday Evening Post" cover of Rosie the Riveter was Mary Doyle, a 19 year old telephone operator.

The famous 'We Can Do It" poster which is used as the epitome of Rosie the Riveter today is actually a promotional graphic created in 1943 by J. Howard Miller for Westinghouse Electric Company.

Women were not admitted to Harvard Medical School until 1944.

I did know what happened to millions of Rosie the day peace was declared. But not just because there was no longer a need to manufacture tanks and bombers and war ships. Women who had developed industrial skills competitive with men were still denied employment except as clerks, maids, and teachers.

[jo lemahieu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good, comprehensive breakdown of everything women had to do, deal with, and figure out during WWII. I enjoyed the quotes from the women working, the stories, the very not-well-known origins of Rosie the Riveter before becoming a household name… However… I felt like the novel lacked a plot? I’m not sure how valid this concern is but really the mention of Dot Chastney every once in a while didn’t really ground me that well while reading. It just felt like there was a lot of information being presented but more in a “rattling it off way” rather than connecting the facts and numbers with the people. But of course this is an informational novel so there does need to be a level of non attachment in the writing. Overall I really liked Rosie the Riveter, because it provides accurate information about being a woman during war time.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fascinating and gratifying. It covers the stories (true) of how women stepped up to help the men at are in Europe and in the Pacific during WWII. Women left their homes to learn how to build tanks, jeeps, guns, ships, etc. The book is packed with interesting stories of how and why and when women stepped up to build the supplies that were sent overseas and how this change in their lives gave them the power they needed to work in the factories and step into jobs other than cleaning their houses, etc. I am in awe of how these women carried on for 4 years to make sure the war would end.
Now I am ready to read another book on the same topic.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

When your young person becomes interested in WWII, slide them this photo essay, which is a casual read for 12 (advanced) and up. Rich photographs and facts and figures that may stimulate further research. Wide in scope rather than narrow in focus, it touches on wartime employment of sub-category minorities as well, such as women of color, older women, and people with disabilities. Great photos, bibliography, and timeline.

[Chloe A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I rate this book a 4 out of 5 not because of the writing, but because of the topic. I think this because the central idea of the text is about how women got better jobs and were paid more because of the war. I feel that this topic is unfair because women can be just as strong if not stronger then men. I recommend this book to grades 5 and up because there is a lot of information that you need to process and not just fly through.

[Abbey Stellingwerff · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as research for a novel I'm planning. It had great, general information. Women workers in World War II were wow-worthy. They did hard, physical labor building planes, boats, and ships—and all while looking fabulous with curled hair and fresh makeup, too! Many women raised children while working as well. They are home front heroes.

[Pamela Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating look at women in the workforce during World War II in the United States, including how the government actively recruited women for jobs that were traditionally male-only. A tremendous amount of photographs and examples of posters and propaganda. Very well done. Suitable for adults looking for a quick read on the topic but also useful for students.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wide-scope look at women participating in workforce during the time of World War II. The text covers the topics of a diminished workforce as soldiers left for war and an increasing need in manufacturing to support the war effort. A great text with many details (while not too specific) about the era and black & white pictures that support the text well.

[Carlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was very informative. Helped greatly on my speech about the Rosie persona.

[Amanda (TheBookwormAdventures) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Nikki Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book; I find women’s roles and all that they did to help during the war effort in WWII & their extremely dedicated effort to help win the Second World War to be completely fascinating.

[Laney Kincaid · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book had a lot of information on Wolrd War 2, and the role of women in the war effort. The pictures helped the reader envision what it was like.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

well it's intended for elementary school, but i thought it lacked some better explanations.

[Jelaina Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit juvenile, but nonetheless insightful. I had no idea the sheer amount of propaganda produced, and full of interesting facts and figures. Nice afternoon read.

[Jules Bertaut · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good, informative book. I like that it does discuss a little the ways that race and gender interacted in the WWII era. A good, informative book for kids.

[Ashley Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun to read and exciting to learn about hardworking women doing men’s jobs.

[Kathleen Hale · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was listed as a young adult book buit it was not easy between the first person narrative and writing of prose.

[Jessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love my Rosie. It was great to learn more background information on women in war.

[Paige Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, but as someone who likes history and women in history this didn't necessarily add much new information.

[Alli Smith Hagerty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very educational in the history of women working in the era of World War II. I personally love books that can empower girls and this is one of them.

[Ashley Boris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of stories, pictures, and facts from WWII focusing on women’s involvement in the war. The book beings with a story about a young girl named Dot Chastney and follows her first hand experiences during the war. The book takes pauses in Dot’s story to elaborate on certain parts of the war that she would not have experienced due to being so young. In order to do this author, Penny Coleman, takes other women from this time period, typically ones who worked in factories but also some who chose to continue being housewives. Among what is covered in this book the issue of propaganda is very important because it fueled the need of women in the workplace, but was also used to convince them it was time to go back to their homes and tend to their soldiers. This book does a good job covering all the different aspects of women’s roles during WWII and what happened once the men came back from overseas. It could be useful in a classroom to introduce the area of women during WWII and the different perspectives of what occurred for everyone during the war, not just the soldiers.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable, albeit short history of women workers in the United States during WWII. I enjoyed the pictures and gained a deeper understanding of the propaganda efforts to bring women into industrial professions by the 10s of thousands from 1942-1944, and then the propaganda efforts to ensure they returned home "where they belong". According to the propaganda efforts of the time, serving in "men's jobs" during wartime was patriotic, but so was returning home to one's lace curtains once the "Axis was curtains". There have been revolutionary women throughout history who have braved "men's" careers, such as the Pioneer-age doctors, and each has taken her step to create a world where many women don't stop to consider the sacrifices and efforts of our predecessors.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars

"What do the men on the news talk about when there is no war?"

A brief but informative glimpse into the lives of women during World War II, Rosie the Riveter: Women Working on the Home Front in World War II provides great insight through photographs, data, and emotional accounts.

Although it was a bit too short to be considered a completely satisfying read, it filled a great afternoon for me and explained women's worlds back then without beating around the bush. It stayed on its path, gave excellent summaries, and inspired without getting too heavy. I really enjoyed it.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I now know that the "Rosie the Riveter" icon that I know is actually not the Rosie that was first created. The cover of this book is the first depiction of her eating a sandwich, all muscled-up with a rivet gun in her lap and goggles on her forehead.

The information about the war is intriguing and enlightening and in short bursts it doesn't feel like I'm really learning. I like the stories of real women entering the workforce, pictures of them in the factories as well as the struggles of black women, men with disabilities, and the young and old who were still discriminated against at the start of the war to help with the war effort.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

This provides a brief overview of women's roles on the home front during WWII. It is perfect for a classroom library or a quick reference guide. The pictures are fantastic and the list of sources at the end could provide more in depth reading on the subject if desired. The only thing that annoyed me, and it has nothing to do with the book but rather a reflection on our society during that time period, is how the recruitment posters generally focused on the fact that even though the women were out doing a man's job they were still expected to look nice and have perfectly manicured nails. Wouldn't they be shocked today...

[Rafael · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an informational text that is considered history. It is appropriate for students aged 9-12, depending on reading level. The book conveys how women played an important role in World War 2, and how WWII was the start of a whole new world for women. This book is captivating and will stimulate good discussions among students about how the role or women has evolved towards equality today and what women had to endure to get to this point, and how this time period helped pave the way for today's equal rights.