Elinor Otto, one of the original "Rosies" who worked as a riveter until age 95 after WWII, celebrated her 100th birthday during the annual American Valor awards banquet in Washington, DC. Elinor shared the stage with decorated combat veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Meet Elinor Otto "America's Longest Working Rosie the Riveter" R.Riveter has introduced a line of high quality women's handbags inspired by Elinor called, appropriately "The Otto." The company is contributing a percentage of the sales of Otto handbages to a fund supporting Elinor's work on behalf of Rosies of all generations. Learn more at R.Riveter.com On September 26, Elinor talked with Lisa Bradley and her colleagues of R.Riveter when they were featured on QVC to promote the new line of high quality women's handbags that were inspired by "America's Longest Working Rosie!" Elinor and signature R.Riveter handbag at March Air Field Museum Elinor's Incredible Story Elinor Marie Otto began her career as one of the original "Rosie the Riveters" in 1942, at Rohr Aircraft Corporation in Chula Vista, CA. during World War II. A single mom with an infant son, she earned 65 cents an hour. Elinor at 22 when she began work at Rohr Aircraft working as a riveter building parts for aircraft used in World War II. (Left) Her first paycheck, dated January 15, 1942, less than a month after the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, making her one of the very first Rosies. After the war ended, Elinor briefly held other jobs, but quickly resumed her career as a riveter, working for the Boeing Corporation. Elinor on the assembly line at Boeing plant in Long Beach, CA where she worked for nearly 50 years as a riveter. She put her rivet gun down for the last time in November 2014 at age 95 when the company closed its Long Beach, CA manufacturing plant where she worked on virtually all of the C17 transport planes that Boeing built for the United States Air Force. She received three job offers within the next six months! "America's last Rosie" prides herself on still being fully independent at age 98, (she continues to drive and live in her own home), and is an inspiring example of the Spirit of her generation. helping to promote awareness of the role women played during WWII and how the legacy of the "Rosie's" helped lay the foundations for expanding opportunities for women in America. She especially enjoys speaking to young people and is frequently featured in the national media. Elinor makes frequent guest appearances at events around the country to raise public awareness and participation in Rosie Rallies on Spirit of '45 Day, and speaking on behalf the women of her generation who made history on the Home Front during WWII.
(for more interviews, scroll down to "Elinor in the News") Elinor's AFA Lifetime Achievmeent Award Acceptance Speech Elinor accepting 2016 America Veterans Center Lillian K. Kiel Award in Washington, DC - Elinor talk to youngsters at Long Island Air Museum
Elinor on the NBC Nightly News
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