Sioux Falls in Minnehaha County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The "Rosie the Riveter" Memorial Rose Garden

October 7, 2022

1. The "Rosie the Riveter" Memorial Rose Garden Marker

Inscription.

The "Rosie the Riveter" Memorial Rose Garden. . The "Rosie the Riveter" Memorial Rose Garden . The extraordinary efforts of women on our Home Front during world war two significantly changed our society - yet the story of these "ordinary heroes" is rarely heard., "Those who served in uniform are listed in registries and have memorials in their honor, but those who served on the home front do not. With the Rosie the Riveter National Memorial Gardens, we will have memorials in cities throughout the United States where these women can be remembered and honored, inspiring young girls to become 21st Century Rosies." - Linda Laurie, Spirit of '45 Project and Rosie the Riveter Memorial Gardens Founder, A Nation at War It all started on a Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, as 183 Japanese warplanes attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The devastating results were 2,433 deaths, the destruction of 18 U.S. warships and 188 airplanes. The surprise attack left the nation stunned as President Roosevelt called the United States to war. "We loved our work. We loved our flag. We all pulled together to win the war." -Mae Krier, a real-life Rosie, With the Men off to Fight ... With American men off to war, the work force at home quickly diminished. Who would "man" the factory assembly lines to produce the necessary supplies? More than 6 million American women stepped up. From all ages and walks of life, these mothers, school girls, daughters and wives helped to build planes, bombs, tanks and other weapons that would eventually allow the U.S. and its Allies to win World War II. To do this they worked in the railroads, lumber and steel mills and in shipyards. They unloaded freight, operated heavy machinery, test flew airplanes and so much more., "It was men's work...until it wasn't. We proved we COULD do it!" The phenomenon of that many women working in the jobs known as "men's work" changed American society. Collectively, they became know as "Rosies" after a popular song entitled, "Rosie the Riveter". Women learned to administer money, many for the first time. They were no longer dependent upon fathers, husbands, uncles or brothers to take care of them or their children. Racial barriers were broken as African American, Hispanic, White, and Asian women worked side by side. They supported their country and earned their own way. These newly found feelings of self-worth had lasting effects on both the Civil Rights and the Women's Rights Movements., "Use it Up ... Wear it Out ... Make it Do ... or Do Without" While the Rosies took care of the manufacturing, assembly and transportation work that was necessary to keep the supply lines going; they couldn't have done it without the raw materials. Everyone at home was expected to actively support the war effort - and they did. Purchasing war bonds and rationing food, clothing and fuel became a way of life. Scrap metal, rubber, waste fat, paper, and other materials considered vital to manufacturing were collected and recycled. To supplement food rationings, "Victory Gardens" were planted; by the end of the war, there were nearly 20 million of them., "Courage, self-sacrifice, 'can-do' attitude, commitment to community - these are timeless qualities not determined by one's politics or other preferences; they're about character. The purpose of the Spirit of '45 campaign is to preserve the legacy of those who possessed this character so that their example can help inspire a renewal of national unity in America. I believe there is a craving among the current generation to belong to something greater than their individual selves. We want them to be inspired to become the 'ordinary heroes' of their generation in order to assure a better future for themselves and for their country." - Warren C. Hegg, National Supervisor for the Spirit of '45 Project Spiritof45.org, Sponsored by the Mary Chilton Chapter, NSDAR DAR.org MaryChilton.sdsdar.org The Daughters of the American Revolution is a non-profit, non-political, volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America's future through better education. It is open to any woman 18+ who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. DAR members volunteer millions of service hours annually in their local communities. The DAR motto is "God, Home and Country". Dedicated August 16, 2020 in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the ending of world war two.

The "Rosie the Riveter" Memorial Rose Garden
The extraordinary efforts of women on our Home Front during WWII significantly changed our society - yet the story of these "ordinary heroes" is rarely heard.

"Those who served in uniform are listed in registries and have memorials in their honor, but those who served on the home front do not. With the Rosie the Riveter National Memorial Gardens, we will have memorials in cities throughout the United States where these women can be remembered and honored, inspiring young girls to become 21st Century Rosies." - Linda Laurie, Spirit of '45 Project and Rosie the Riveter Memorial Gardens Founder

A Nation at War
It all started on a Sunday morning, December 7, 1941, as 183 Japanese warplanes attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
The devastating results were 2,433 deaths, the destruction of 18 U.S. warships and 188 airplanes. The surprise attack left the nation stunned as President Roosevelt called the United States to war.
"We loved our work. We loved our flag. We all pulled together to win the war."
-Mae Krier, a real-life Rosie

With the Men off to Fight ...
With American men off to war, the work force at home quickly diminished. Who would "man" the factory assembly lines to produce

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the necessary supplies?
More than 6 million American women stepped up. From all ages and walks of life, these mothers, school girls, daughters and wives helped to build planes, bombs, tanks and other weapons that would eventually allow the U.S. and its Allies to win World War II.
To do this they worked in the railroads, lumber and steel mills and in shipyards. They unloaded freight, operated heavy machinery, test flew airplanes and so much more.

"It was men's work...until it wasn't. We proved we COULD do it!"
The phenomenon of that many women working in the jobs known as "men's work" changed American society.
Collectively, they became know as "Rosies" after a popular song entitled, "Rosie the Riveter".
Women learned to administer money, many for the first time. They were no longer dependent upon fathers, husbands, uncles or brothers to take care of them or their children.
Racial barriers were broken as African American, Hispanic, White, and Asian women worked side by side. They supported their country and earned their own way. These newly found feelings of self-worth had lasting effects on both the Civil Rights and the Women's Rights Movements.

"Use it Up ... Wear it Out ... Make it Do ... or Do Without"
While the Rosies took care of the manufacturing, assembly and transportation work that was necessary

October 7, 2022

2. The "Rosie the Riveter" Memorial Rose Garden Marker

to keep the supply lines going; they couldn't have done it without the raw materials. Everyone at home was expected to actively support the war effort - and they did. Purchasing war bonds and rationing food, clothing & fuel became a way of life. Scrap metal, rubber, waste fat, paper, and other materials considered vital to manufacturing were collected and recycled. To supplement food rationings, "Victory Gardens" were planted; by the end of the war, there were nearly 20 million of them.

"Courage, self-sacrifice, 'can-do' attitude, commitment to community - these are timeless qualities not determined by one's politics or other preferences; they're about character.
The purpose of the Spirit of '45 campaign is to preserve the legacy of those who possessed this character so that their example can help inspire a renewal of national unity in America. I believe there is a craving among the current generation to belong to something greater than their individual selves. We want them to be inspired to become the 'ordinary heroes' of their generation in order to assure a better future for themselves and for their country." - Warren C. Hegg, National Supervisor for the Spirit of '45 Project Spiritof45.org

Sponsored by the Mary Chilton Chapter, NSDAR DAR.org MaryChilton.sdsdar.org
The Daughters of the American

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Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Revolution is a non-profit, non-political, volunteer women's service organization dedicated to promoting patriotism, preserving American history and securing America's future through better education. It is open to any woman 18+ who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the American Revolution. DAR members volunteer millions of service hours annually in their local communities. The DAR motto is "God, Home and Country".
Dedicated August 16, 2020 in honor of the 75th Anniversary of the ending of WWII.

Erected 2020 by the Mary Chilton Chapter, NSDAR (National Society Daughters of the American Revolution).

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World II • Women. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 7, 1941.

Location. 43° 33.644′ N, 96° 44.418′ W. Marker is in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. Marker can be reached from North Walts Avenue south of West Bailey Street, on the right when traveling south. Located in Veterans' Memorial Park in Sioux Falls. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1021 W Bailey St, Sioux Falls SD 57104, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Sioux Falls Army Technical School (here, next to this marker); Woodrow Wilson Keeble (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles D. Roberts (within shouting distance of this marker); Herbert A. Littleton (within shouting distance of this marker); Willibald C. Bianchi (within shouting distance of this marker); Isaac N. Fry (within shouting distance of this marker); Arlo L. Olson (within shouting distance of this marker); Patrick Henry Brady (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sioux Falls.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2022. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on February 16, 2024. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 17, 2022. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.