Rosie the Riveter emerged as a political icon during World War II when widespread drafts left gaping holes in the economy. Positions traditionally worked by men were no longer fillable, as able-bodied men had been sent to war. In an attempt to balance the workforce, women filled those positions in production mills and on assembly lines, and Rosie the Riveter became a cultural symbol of feminism as well as women as fixtures of economic viability.
Ruth Johnson Mullis has undoubtedly earned her title as an honorary “Riveter” herself. ABC News reports that having failed riveting school three times, Ruth had to work exceptionally hard to mark her place in the work force. She began working in the cafeteria of a nearby defense plant that built aircrafts for the military. Though she failed at riveting, she later found her niche in the template department and went on to invent a part needed to alleviate a problem on the assembly line at her factory. She humbly admits she was just trying to help the effort.
“Like Rosie the Riveter said, we can do it!” remarks Ruth. “And we did!”
Years later, Ruth continues to shatter more social constructions. She and her second husband met online and became the oldest couple to find love on Match.com.
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