It took nearly eight decades, but the millions of women who served during World War II and assembled bombers, Jeeps and more, known as Rosie the Riveters, finally got the recognition they richly deserve when they were presented the nation's highest civilian honor — the Congressional Gold Medal — during an event April 10 in Washington, D.C.
For Macomb County resident Frances Boggs Metcalf, who turned 100 this year and who served in the U.S. Navy after assembling B29 bombers in Cleveland, Ohio, that honor is her crowning achievement.
“It was amazing receiving the Congressional Gold Medal — yet another surprise during the year of my 100th birthday,” Metcalf, who lives in the Michigan Veterans Home of Chesterfield Township, told me. “This is the highlight of my 100 years on this earth.”
Though she wasn’t able to attend the D.C. event because of health issues, Metcalf's daughter Lynn Alexander did with almost 30 other Rosies. Each Rosie (including Metcalf) who had been invited was given a bronze replica of the medal.
”I’m so proud she is finally getting the recognition that she deserves,” Alexander said.
Echoed Susy Avery, former executive director of Michigan’s Women’s Commission: “She paved the way, not only for a winning war effort, but inspired future generations of women to pursue their passions. She continues as a role model of making the world a better place-for over 100 years.” Avery attended Metcalf’s birthday celebration in June.
Metcalf is part of the shrinking “Greatest Generation” who lived during a time when patriotism abounded and political ideologies and divisions fell by the wayside as people joined to battle an enemy threatening democracy.
During World War II men (and yes, some women) headed off to fight the war in Europe, and women back home heeded the government’s call to work in plants making military equipment and more. For many women, it was the first time working outside the home.
"Rosie the Riveter" became synonymous with these trailblazing women and was depicted in the government’s recruitment campaign by the iconic muscle-flexing woman exclaiming “We Can Do It” in a poster. The original Rosie was an employee at the Ford Willow Run bomber plant (Rose Will Monroe, according to the automaker’s website).
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How many Rosies are still alive? No one knows.
“There is not one database that lists all Rosies who worked during WW2,” said Elizabeth Kenward of the American Rosie The Riveter Association-Eastern Michigan Chapter in Imlay City.“ Most of the old records from various factories are not available. Rosies did many jobs. Without them we absolutely would not have won the war. “
“Rosie the Riveter is part of our history in Michigan,” said U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, who along with U.S. Rep. Lisa McLain, R-Bruce Township, brought 11 surviving Rosies to the recent D.C. event. “They still inspire generations of women. With grace and gusto, more than 6 million women entered the workforce to support the war effort and redefined the role of American women.”
I posed a few questions to Metcalf about her journey. (Her answers are edited for brevity.)
QUESTION: What’s it like being 100?
ANSWER: I was surprised that I made it to 100 and proud of doing so since I promised my husband (Richard, who passed away in 2014) that I would make it!
Q: What inspired you to serve your country?
A: I tried to join the Navy following in the footsteps of my older brother, Jim. They told me I was too young so I became a Rosie the Riveter and worked on B29 bombers in Cleveland. When I turned 20, I did enlist in the Navy and did a variety of jobs most notably working in administration with the pilots.
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Q: You met your husband, Richard, after serving. Tell me more.
A: I returned to West Springfield, Pennsylvania, and worked as a clerk at a small store near Conneaut, Ohio, where my future husband lived. (He served in the Navy and was on the USS Nashville and injured during the Battle of the Leyte Gulf when his ship was hit by a kamikaze pilot). A mutual friend introduced us and we married — almost making it to our 63rd anniversary until he passed away.
Q: Did you work outside the home?
A: Due to caregiving for both my parents and my in-laws, I concentrated on volunteer work. I was a Brownie Scout leader and a citizen advocate encouraging people to vote and support our first responders, the local nursing home and library. My husband and I were officers in the Ashtabula County Genealogy Society in Jefferson, Ohio, and published a book that chronicles the history of the county. I also published a book, “How To Fight City Hall” to educate the public on how to have their voice heard.
Q: Curious, your thoughts about advancements women have made the past 80 years ?
A: Women have come a long way. There’s still a long way to go given how few women hold CEO positions today. But it is great that women are now holding more positions of power politically and should be chosen based on their ability.
Contact Carol Cain: 248-355-7126 or clcain@cbs.com . She is senior producer/host of “Michigan Matters,” which airs 5:30 a.m. Sundays on CBS Detroit and noon Sundays on Detroit 50 WKBD. See Pete Hoekstra, chair of the Michigan Republican Party, and Mallory McMorrow, state senator, on this Sunday’s show. You can also watch on Fubu, Pluto TV, YoutubeTV and Apple TV where those two stations listings appear.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: 5 questions with a Macomb County Congressional Gold Medal winner
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