“Thalian Association’s “Rosie the Riveter” A Preview, presented by Brightmore University
October 11, 2017
Brightmore University presented “Thalian Association’s “Rosie the Riveter” A Preview, by Wilbur Jones, Retired Navy Captain, Military Author & Historian. Wilbur Jones graciously spoke to our community about “Rosie the Riveter”, a one-woman show, to be presented this month at the Hannah Block Historic USO Community Arts Center, which is dedicated to the 248 New Hanover County Servicemen who died for our country. In our audience we have one WWII Veteran and two Homefront Workers and one being a “Riveter” herself, Chris Ransom! Chris actually donated her life-size cardboard cutout “Rosie” for the presentation that she received from the Post Office during the 50th Anniversary of WWII. Wilbur educated us on the two Medal of Honor servicemen who were from New Hanover County, Murray and Halyburton. One of our residents, Clara Murray Hodges, is the 2nd cousin of Murray and added some history to the program too. Wilbur explored the Rosie phenomenon and her famous motto, “We Can Do It” which meant two things….united, our nation will win the war; and, we women will make a difference in the workplace. Learn how the Rosie impact actually started the postwar women’s liberation movement and about American Women in World War II. It brought about much discussion and some memorable war stories.