Photo by Alfred T. Palmer, Library of Congress
Although it is hard to tell from this photo, the caption by Office of War Information photographer Alfred T. Palmer makes clear that this particular Rosie the Riveter is an older woman. “A woman worker, over 60 years old, does an expert riveting job on a B-17F bomber in the Long Beach, California, plant of Douglas Aircraft Company.” She joins my collection of older Rosies, (see here and here) who defy the common view depicting women war workers as young.
Fashion historians often state that the Second World War encouraged younger women to start wearing pants in public. Many war workers were required to wear pants for their jobs, and some found the new outfits so comfortable that they adopted the style outside the factory.
And what about the older Rosies? Did some of them also decide to expand their regular wardrobe to include pants?
From what I’ve seen in photos from the later 1940s, the answer to your question is yes.
I hope I have her steady hand and flexibility at “over 60”!