Rosie the Riveter creates a lasting impact
On Jan. 20, Naomi Parker Fraley passed away at the age of 96. Fraley was the inspiration for what became known as the “Rosie the Riveter” poster. We all recognize this “We Can Do It!” poster from WWII, which was originally created to encourage women who were working in the factories.
What many people don’t know is that Canada actually had its very own real life version of Rosie the Riveter, before the United States used the character in propaganda.
Veronica Foster, or the Bren Gun Girl, worked in a munitions manufacturing plant during the Second World War. She became popular in Canada when a series of propaganda posters were produced using images of her doing various activities, including playing baseball and dancing the jitterbug. Both Rosie the Riveter and the Bren Gun Girl later became entrenched in the feminist movement.
The city of Guelph has its own unique ties to the feminist movement. A feminist organization, known only as ‘the group,’ organized initiatives to support Guelph women.
In 1973, they established the second shelter for assaulted women in Ontario. Although it didn’t stay open long, it made a major impact.
In 1978, Women in Crisis opened a shelter, filling the gap left by a lack of funding.
Researchers at the University of Guelph have also made significant contributions to the feminist movement.
Dr. Norma V. Bowen, a founding psychology professor at the university, started research on sexual harassment, and shared her research by presenting talks at other universities. She was also a conference coordinator at the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women.
While Fraley may have passed away recently, the inspiration she gave to the feminist movement will live on in the work that her fellow women continue to put forward.
Photo courtesy of Flickr via CC0