Media Advisory: American Rosie Movement being launched from West Virginia on Monday, Tuesday

WVPA Staff Report

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The organization recognizing the efforts of the women who worked during World War II – referred to as Rosie the Riveters  – will host two events in West Virginia on Monday and Tuesday.

Thanks! Plain and Simple Inc. — along with R. Riveter, Inc., a company that employees military wives nationwide, and the South Charleston High School Show Choir — will host events on  Monday, April 16, and  Tuesday, April 17, to announce that “Thanks!” is launching an effort — the American Rosie Movement (ARM) —  to guide and show  Americans who use diverse ways to unite America.

“ARM includes women, without excluding men.  It unifies people who do “Rosie work”, instead of using protest to make change,” said Anne Montague, executive director of Thanks!

Montague outlined the two events.

1. Monday, April 16, at the Pullman Plaza Hotel in Huntington, “Thanks!” will host Lisa Bradley, R. Riveter’s co-founder Major activities will be held at the Pullman Plaza Hotel where Bradley will be introduced to WV Rosies, view a display designed with the help of Rosies. That display will soon be placed at Cabell County Library. Bradley will also meet Huntington citizens who have done exemplary work to help “Thanks!” assure that the legacy of Rosie the Riveters becomes known to Americans now and into the future.  Where and when: Mon., Apr. 16, 2018, 11:30 -1:30, Pullman Plaza Hotel, 1001 3^rdAve. Huntington, Plaza Room
2. Tuesday, April 17, at South Charleston High School, the Show Choir, director Billy Burette and guitarist Janet Rivera will be the first group to sing a thanks to Rosie the Riveter.  The theme song was created by “Thanks!” for Americans to have an easy, meaningful way to thank and remember Rosie the Riveters. Where and When:  Tuesday, April 17, 2018, (8:40-9:45.a.m.- So. Charleston High Show Choir;  Rm 122,1 Eagle Way,  South Charleston.

Montague said the events highlight Americans who do first-rate work that honors the high-quality work of Rosie the Riveters from World War II to now.

“Thanks! has worked for 10 years to find, interview, and create projects with living Rosie the Riveters so that Americans have examples of work they can replicate and add to nationally and internationally. The short-term goal is to show contributions of Rosie the Riveters, starting from World War II and continuing into the future.  The long-term goal is to show that social movements can succeed by doing many kinds of work for one goal, instead getting people to divide and protest.  “We pull better when we pull together” is the motto, we got from Rosies,” Montague said.

Bradley co-founded R.Riveter seven years ago to create employment for military wives whose unemployment is high, since they move frequently.  The R.Riveter product line is highest-quality women’s handbags, often made with materials left from Department of Defence manufactures who use durable fabrics and leather

 

Montague said Huntington and South Charleston are the right places for the first event as the city has worked with “Thanks!” in many ways to honor and educate with “Rosies”:

• The first government building in America named “The Rosie the Riveter Building” is in West Huntington, at the previous location of Polan Industries at the Cabell and Wayne County lines.
• The first wall designed with Rosies is at the Pullman Plaza Hotel, and be moved to the Cabell County Library.
• The first bluebird nest box was placed in Barboursville to show that Rosies chose the bluebird to represent them because it represents hope and the male is red, white and blue.
• The first dogwood trees planted at the same moment in four states included the Huntington Museum of Art.
• Huntington citizens have done exceptional work to help develop ARM, including Pamela McCoy, Jewell Matthews, Kenny Smith, Kay Fricke, Ruth Cline, Stephen Riner, and library staff and management.

South Charleston has worked with “Thanks!” many ways to honor and educate with “Rosies:

• The Today Show filmed 50 Rosies at what is now the Stamping Plant
• Rosies have been included in Armed Forces Day parades for eight years
• The CVB showed our documentary film, “Rosie the Riveters, Then and Now”  at the Labelle Theatre

Media Contact:Anne Montague, [email protected]    or    304-776-4743 or 304-545-9818(c)

Web Sites:   R Riveter:  www.rriveter.com    Thanks!: www.rosietherivetermovement.org