The Story Behind "We Can Do It!" And Rosie the Riveter
3,827 views · Published 19 March 2018 · 1:39 · Indexed 20 September 2026
Channel: Very Local · 2018 · News & Politics
Most people recognize Rosie the Riveter, the iconic World War II image of a woman in a bandana that continues to be an icon of female empowerment and strength. But did you know Naomi Parker Fraley, from Tulsa, Oklahoma, was the inspiration for the iconic image? After the attack of Pearl Harbor in 1941, Fraley was one of the first women assigned to the machine shop in the Naval Air Shop in Alameda, California. J. Howard Miller's 1943 poster has a striking resemblance to Fraley, but it wasn't until years later that Fraley recognized herself in a photo credited as being the inspiration for his image. After an investigation, as another woman was credited to be the inspiration for the photo, it was determined Fraley was the original Rosie in 2015. Throughout March we're celebrating #WomensHistoryMonth by honoring influential women in history whose inspirational stories helped pave the way for female empowerment and progress. These advocates and pioneers have contributed incredible things to not only women's history, but to the history of the United States as a whole, and are an inspiration to young girls everywhere. Follow us! Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/watchstitch/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/watchstitch Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/watchstitch TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@watchstitch