Rosalind “Roz” Walter, the inspiration for the “Rosie the Riveter” persona, died Wednesday at the age of 95.
Walter grew up in a wealthy home on Long Island, New York, but when World War II broke out, she decided to join millions of other women and work in a factory to help support the American war effort, according to the New York Times. She was a riveter who worked the night shift at a plant in Connecticut.
A newspaper column detailed her work driving rivets into metal fighter planes, a job that was typically done by men. That column was the inspiration for the patriotic 1942 song “Rosie the Riveter.”
“All the day long, whether rain or shine, she’s a part of the assembly line. She’s making history, working for victory — Rosie, brrrrr, the Riveter,” the lyrics for iconic the song read.
Despite being the inspiration for Rosie the Riveter, other models posed for posters and magazine covers depicting the iconic figure, including the “We Can Do It!” poster.
Later in life, Walter became a philanthropist who backed public television and programs on PBS. She was also the largest single contributor to WNET in New York, financing 67 shows since 1978.
“She cared deeply about the public being informed and felt that public television and media is the best way to accomplish this,” said Allison Fox, WNET’s senior director for major gifts.
She is survived by her son, Henry Thompson; two grandchildren; four step-grandchildren; and many step-great-grandchildren.
