For decades, women simply weren't allowed in the workplace. There was a belief that they weren't smart, capable, or strong enough to do even the simplest of tasks. Then came World War II, which required a massive population of American men to fight overseas in the name of humanity.
The country had no choice: it had to accept what had always been true, that women could really do it all. The workforce was opened up to women, and they were happy to rise to the occasion and accomplish tasks that had once been seen only as "men's work."
The symbol for women in the workforce became iconic: "Rosie the Riveter." The illustration showed a woman flexing her bicep in her work uniform. She represented all of the real women who stepped up when they were needed.
Two of those women are Mary Jo Davis and Betty Woodruff. Still wearing their hair up like Rosie, Mary worked on fighter jets while Betty was a riveter. Though their work was pivotal to keeping the economy afloat, like all of the women who helped during the war, they were never honored.
In fact, after the war, it was expected that most women stop working altogether. However, the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office decided to correct this lack of recognition by naming Mary and Betty as war heroes.
"You all were pioneers of the women's movement," Sgt. Jeff Duke said to the women, who are both in their 90s. "[We are] honoring you for the service that you did. We just want to say thank you."
However, Mary and Betty never expected even a pat on the back. They were just doing what they had to do for their country.
"I never thought about it," Mary said. "It was a job. I did it."
While Betty and Mary never intended to make history, these decades later we know that their contributions are why women can now expect to find a place in the workforce.
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