Rosie the Riveter Image

Image Credit: War Productions Co-ordinating Committee

The wartime poster featuring Rosie the Riveter, pictured above, argues that women are capable of having jobs that were traditionally reserved for men. This was particularly significant during World War II as many women were forced into work outside the home because so many men were part of the war effort. The positive language used in the poster's headline illustrates that women are confident that they can successfully work outside the home. Despite her long eyelashes, perfectly groomed eyebrows, and lips laden with red lipstick, Rosie's flexed arm, serious facial expression, and tied-back hairdo gives her a sense of masculinity. The large size of her arm and her action of flexing her arm muscles is symbolic of her strength and ability to work outside the home. Her serious facial expression makes her seem confident in her abilities and ready to work. And her tied-back hairdo mirrors the traditional hairdo of a man, short and out of the way. This depiction of male features on Rosie serves to show that she has the capability to work outside the traditional realm of women's work. The woman's pin on the collar of her shirt demonstrates that she herself supports women in the workforce.

Rosie's patriotic attire is of some significance, but I cannot put my finger on it definitely. I am thinking it is showing her support of the war effort. In that case, this poster might also be arguing that women are able to help the United States win the war.

This poster was put out by the War Production Co-ordinating Committee (or at least this committee endorses the poster because the committee's name is printed in the lower right-hand corner). I am not quite sure of the significance of this committee on the poster.