A 101-Year-Old Michigan Woman Was Just Named an Official ‘Rosie the Riveter’

A 101-year-old Michigan woman is getting some well deserved recognition 80 years after she helped support the World War II effort.

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Agnes McKenna was formally recognized as an officially registered "Rosie the Riveter" for her work supporting the World War II effort.

Who Is Rosie The Riveter

If you thought that "Rosie the Riveter" was a real person just like myself don't feel bad.

Rosie the Riveter is actually a cultural icon that represented the millions of American women who entered the workforce during World War II to fill important industrial jobs that were left vacant by men serving in the military.

Agnes McKenna was one of those women.

Back in 1943, McKenna worked several jobs during the war.

First, she was assembling spark plugs at AC Spark Plug in Ionia before moving to REO Motors in Lansing, where she waterproofed wiring and dashboard instruments for military trucks bound for the war effort.

Jeanette Gutierrez, who's the executive director of Michigan Rosies, was the one who got to present McKenna with an official bronze replica of the "Rosie the Riveter" Congressional Gold Medal, an official registry certificate and dozens of birthday cards from supporters across the state.

Like many people of her generation, McKenna was quick to not take credit and make it about herself telling WZZM 13:

"I didn't think much about myself, I was thinking about the soldiers that had to fight."

If you know a woman like Agnes McKenna you're asked to reach out to Michigan Rosies to see if they qualify for official recognition.