Honoring the work of our ‘Rosies’
Labor Day constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. The American worker is the core of our high standard of living and great production in the world. Evidence of this can be found in the history of a workforce that has had dramatic impact on the success of this nation.
There is one group in particular whose mark on the nation’s workforce history was pivotal yet greatly overshadowed by the events of the time. And appreciation for their work is deserved and long overdue.
More than 70 years ago, Irene Weller and Adeline Stoskopf, both of Grand Rapids, were among the millions of women who answered the call to enter the industrial labor force in tough jobs left vacant with widespread male enlistment during World War II.
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Earlier this month, Weller and Stoskopf were recognized as “Rosie the Riveters,” in the Tall Timber Days parade with Take Action Minnesota, a network working for racial and economic equity across the state. In pushing equal pay for men and women, Take Action is shedding light on the fact that despite the advancements made by women over the past decades, difficulties like pay disparities make it hard for women to get ahead. As it was in 1943 when women may have made $.65/hour compared to men’s pay of $1.00/hour, a discrepancy remains with Minnesota women earning 80 cents for every dollar earned by a man. Take Action Minnesota hopes to influence legislative leaders to help change this and both Weller and Stoskopf were happy to promote the cause by participating in the parade.
Stoskopf said she didn’t make much money during her factory days but believes “if women are doing the same job as men, they shouldn’t be paid less.”
