Rosie the Riveter is an American cultural icon, a symbol of all of the women who worked in factories during World War II, freeing men for military service. The face of the World War II home front, she became the national symbol of the ideal home front spirit, the embodiment of national unity and dedication to the cause. A paragon of virtue, she was able to meet any challenge she encountered as she left the domestic sphere to fulfill her civic and moral responsibilities as a good citizen by becoming a member of the wartime work force. Rosie the Riveter and the women who did men’s work in American factories during the war have come to symbolize American adaptability and capability, and served as role ...