“Rosie the Riveter” became an icon based on World War
II recruitment posters for women defense workers. While
the women in official posters were mostly White, more
than 600,000 Black women civilians, in addition to Asian
and Hispanic women, also heard the call. Wartime “Black
Rosies” (as they came to be known) proved themselves in
“men’s work,” changing perceptions and doing their part to push the nation forward toward equality