At the beginning of 2016, I was approached by Vic Trujillo in hopes that I could answer the question as to why “Women of World War II were not honored by our state delegates?”

Hoping to get an answer to that question, a letter was written to the office of Governor Brian Sandoval, posing that exact question.

Hawthorne Ammunition Depot is no stranger to women working in a “man’s world”. Together, men and women have stood side-by-side helping to aid those who defend our great nation. The women of the World War II era not only grew Victory Gardens, donated their pantyhose to the war effort, raised the children while their men fought overseas, but they also worked many jobs at the base and around Mineral County.

On May 23 – the legacy of 16 million workingwomen will be honored as Nevada proclaims it “Rosie the Riveter Day in Nevada”.

The proclamation from Sandoval reads:

WHEREAS, National Rosie the Riveter Day is a collective nationwide effort to celebrate the legacies of the 16 million working women who served our nation on the home front during World War II; and

WHEREAS, the heroic women of the Greatest Generation left their homes to work or volunteer full-time on assembly lines, in farms, shipyards, airplane factories, banks and other institutions in support of the military overseas, and worked with the USO or American Red Cross, drove trucks, riveted airplane parts, collected critical materials, rolled bandages, and served on rationing boards; and

WHEREAS, the contributions of America’s corps of working women during World War II were critical to our na-
tion’s ultimate victory over tyranny and oppression, and it is a solemn responsibility to honor their service and share their stories with future generations of Americans; and

WHEREAS, the State of Nevada acknowledges, with profound appreciation, the special role that America’s female workers played in supporting our nation’s war effort during World War II, as well as the lasting impacts their service had on promoting greater equality for women in American society; and

WHEREAS, with gratitude from their inspiring patriotism and service to the United States, the State of Nevada extends deepest gratitude to the working women of World War II, with continued commitment to preserving and honoring their proud legacy for generations to come;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BRIAN SANDOVAL, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, do herby proclaim May 23, 2016 as ROSIE THE RIVETER DAY IN NEVADA.

For those who wonder who drove bus to and from the base, processed payroll or greeted our U.S. military – a trip to the Hawthorne Ordnance Museum can take you back to a time when patriotism was not just a word but a feeling, women drew their nylons on with a kohl pencil and underneath their coveralls, were curves.

Take time to stop a World War II generation lady this Armed Forces weekend. Thank them for their contribution of Mineral County’s history.

The resolution has been donated to the Hawthorne Ordnance Museum.