I had an Aunt who was part of the Black Rosie the Riveters on Mare Island.

Question

I had an aunt who was part of the Black Rosie the Riverters on Mare Island. Is there a list of those women anywhere that I can get a copy of for geneaology tree?

History Hub Info · Answer

GeeGreen , 
 We are not aware of any list of the women who worked as Rosie the Riveters. Mare Island was one of many locations where women worked to support the US during World War II. The Invisible Warriors documentary estimates that there were 600,000 Black women who joined the workforce in defense and industrial roles to help win the war! The documentary spotlights a few of them here: https://invisiblewarriorsfilm.com/warriors/ 
 Now Mare Island was a naval shipyard and jobs held by Rosies there were very much like the iconic Rosie the Riveter. The National Association of Black Military Women has a page focusing on the Black Rosies ( https://www.nabmw.org/the-rosies ) and notes that in August 1942, Mare Island had at least ten Black Rosies, one of which was shipfitter Lola Thomas, who is pictured on their page (I've got more about this photo below!). There is also a Facebook group focused on the Rosies of Mare Island you can find here: https://www.facebook.com/RosiesMareIsland/ . 
 The National Archives does have a few pictures of the Rosies at Mare Island. This includes the full group photo with Lola Thomas which shows her working with other Rosies on completing the floor in a part of the engine room of the USS Nereus taken around 1943 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/296892 . 
 
 There's also another photo of shipfitter at work: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/296891 
 Another of a worker in the pattern shop: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/296886 
 And some Rosies relaxing at lunchtime: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/296889 
 I hope this helps you know more about your aunt's time working on Mare Island as a Black Rosie! 
 We are very grateful for her contributions in winning the war, and for showing us all that sometimes the the right man for a job may be a Black woman!

I had an Aunt who was part of the Black Rosie the Riveters on Mare Island.

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