Monday, October 16, 2017

  Largest gathering of people dressed as Rosie the Riveter: world record set in Michigan (VIDEO)

   YPSILANTI, MI, USA -- About 3,755 women and girls gathered at the Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center to set the new world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Rosie the Riveter, according to the World Record Academy .

Photo: About 3,755 women and girls gathered at the Eastern Michigan University Convocation Center to beat the record of 2,229 Rosies set last year in California. The gathering included 58 original Rosies. ( enlarge photo )

    "Today a diverse group of women, from 6 weeks to 110 years old, traveled from Michigan and all over the world to help preserve our state's history and bring the Rosie record home," U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Mich. said.

   "These trailblazing women continue to inspire and empower us all, and reclaiming the world record is a perfect tribute to their enduring legacy and 'We Can Do It' spirit. Today we are all prouder than ever of the amazing story we represent."

    The Guinness World Record for the largest gathering of Rosie the Riveters since World War II was last set in 2016 in Richmond, Calif., by 2,229 people, stealing the crown from Michigan, which in October 2015 held a gathering of more than 2,000 women.

   At the event were more than 55 original "Rosies," according to event organizers.

    The original Rosie the Riveter, Rose Will Monroe, worked as a riveter at the Willow Run Aircraft Factory in Ypsilanti building B24 bombers for the U.S. military during World War II.
   Rosie the Riveter became a symbol of women moving into the workforce and filling factory jobs traditionally held by men, who were away at war.