An American Icon Has Passed Away: (Rosie the Riveter) AKA Geraldine Hoff Doyle - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 12-30-2010, 02:00 PM

Her face became the symbol of women's empowerment, and her death is the end of an era.

Geraldine Hoff Doyle of Lansing, the woman behind an iconic image of a bandana-clad, muscle-flexing Rosie the Riveter during World War II, has died, according to her family.

Doyle was 86, a lifetime older than the 17-year-old factory worker who was captured in a United Press International photo in a metal-pressing plant near Ann Arbor.

Her photo was later used by the U.S. War Production Coordinating Committee in an illustrated poster called, "We Can Do It!"

The poster was designed to encourage other women to enter the workforce in support of the war effort but has grown to become a pop-culture icon of women's equality.

"She was very inspirational," said her daughter, Stephanie Gregg of Eaton Rapids, assistant dean of admissions for Cooley Law School. "She was very kind and generous. She lived the 'We Can Do It!' life every day."

More than 6 million women would eventually heed the poster's call, entering the workforce in droves during the war. Nearly half found factory jobs previously reserved for men to churn out bombers, tanks, guns and ammunition.

After the war, Doyle's famous image became a lasting emblem, said Gladys Beckwith, former director of the Michigan Women's Historical Center and Hall of Fame, which honored Doyle in 2002.

"Rosie the Riveter is the image of an independent woman who is in control of her own destiny," Beckwith said. "(Doyle) was a gracious, beautiful woman. Her death is the passing of an era, and we need to take note of that. We need to respect what she stood for."

Ironically, Doyle herself didn't know until 1984 that she had a famous face -- not until she was flipping through an issue of "Modern Maturity" magazine and saw a reproduction of the poster.

"She said, 'This is me!,'" recalled Gregg.

Doyle recounted the story later for a 2002 article in the Lansing State Journal.

She had never noticed the poster before, she said, because she was too busy living her life.

"I was changing diapers all the time," she said in 2002.

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/a...ter-dies-at-86

catlover79 · 12-30-2010, 02:09 PM

old grouch · 12-30-2010, 02:13 PM

'We can do it!!!' Words to live by, and it sounds like Geraldine followed those words.

Penny Lane · 12-30-2010, 02:34 PM

During WWII my grandma worked for Buick in Flint, Michigan. After the war she had to give up her job to make room for the returning servicemen. That would NEVER happen today!LOL She hated losing her job but knew that it was important for these men to get their jobs back. She,and other women like Rosie The Riveter, kept this country going. Applause for them!

Marvo301 · 12-30-2010, 03:11 PM

Geraldine Hoff Doyle aka Rosie the Riveter

Retro4Life · 12-30-2010, 04:53 PM

That generation is slipping away far too fast.

Janice · 12-30-2010, 09:57 PM

[IMG]file:///C:/Users/Janice/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/Users/Janice/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png[/IMG] Geraldine Hoff.

MrCleveland · 12-31-2010, 01:05 AM

She'll STILL be remembered by that poster!

May she Rest in Peace!

12-30-2010, 02:00 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	An American Icon Has Passed Away: (Rosie the Riveter) AKA Geraldine Hoff Doyle Her face became the symbol of women's empowerment, and her death is the end of an era. Geraldine Hoff Doyle of Lansing, the woman behind an iconic image of a bandana-clad, muscle-flexing Rosie the Riveter during World War II, has died, according to her family. Doyle was 86, a lifetime older than the 17-year-old factory worker who was captured in a United Press International photo in a metal-pressing plant near Ann Arbor. Her photo was later used by the U.S. War Production Coordinating Committee in an illustrated poster called, "We Can Do It!" The poster was designed to encourage other women to enter the workforce in support of the war effort but has grown to become a pop-culture icon of women's equality. "She was very inspirational," said her daughter, Stephanie Gregg of Eaton Rapids, assistant dean of admissions for Cooley Law School. "She was very kind and generous. She lived the 'We Can Do It!' life every day." More than 6 million women would eventually heed the poster's call, entering the workforce in droves during the war. Nearly half found factory jobs previously reserved for men to churn out bombers, tanks, guns and ammunition. After the war, Doyle's famous image became a lasting emblem, said Gladys Beckwith, former director of the Michigan Women's Historical Center and Hall of Fame, which honored Doyle in 2002. "Rosie the Riveter is the image of an independent woman who is in control of her own destiny," Beckwith said. "(Doyle) was a gracious, beautiful woman. Her death is the passing of an era, and we need to take note of that. We need to respect what she stood for." Ironically, Doyle herself didn't know until 1984 that she had a famous face -- not until she was flipping through an issue of "Modern Maturity" magazine and saw a reproduction of the poster. "She said, 'This is me!,'" recalled Gregg. Doyle recounted the story later for a 2002 article in the Lansing State Journal. She had never noticed the poster before, she said, because she was too busy living her life. "I was changing diapers all the time," she said in 2002. http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/a...ter-dies-at-86
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

12-30-2010, 02:09 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

12-30-2010, 02:34 PM	#4
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,300	During WWII my grandma worked for Buick in Flint, Michigan. After the war she had to give up her job to make room for the returning servicemen. That would NEVER happen today!LOL She hated losing her job but knew that it was important for these men to get their jobs back. She,and other women like Rosie The Riveter, kept this country going. Applause for them!
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

12-30-2010, 03:11 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,460	Geraldine Hoff Doyle aka Rosie the Riveter
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

12-30-2010, 04:53 PM	#6
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	That generation is slipping away far too fast.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

12-30-2010, 02:13 PM	#3
old grouch Member Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2010 Location: montana Posts: 1,877	'We can do it!!!' Words to live by, and it sounds like Geraldine followed those words.

12-30-2010, 09:57 PM	#7
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	America's Greatest Generation. [IMG]file:///C:/Users/Janice/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png[/IMG][IMG]file:///C:/Users/Janice/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png[/IMG] Geraldine Hoff.

12-31-2010, 01:05 AM	#8
MrCleveland Drew Carey from Hell Forum Star Join Date: Nov 10, 2007 Location: The City of Cleveland, in The State of Cleveland, in The United States of Cleveland Posts: 14,234	She'll STILL be remembered by that poster! May she Rest in Peace!
	__________________ Thank God for kids that love Obscure Things. Lee Hazlewood (1929-2007) You ARE Special to God! Rev. Ernest Angely (August 1921-May 2021)