ABSTRACT
World War II was a watershed event in the evolution of the American woman. As millions of them entered the labor force for the first time, the iconic image of Rosie the Riveter—young and beautiful, strong and confident—aptly symbolized the phenomenon for the American public. Rosie the Riveter herself gained a new level of confidence because she learned not only that she could fill GI Joe's shoes but also that doing so made her feel good about herself and her new place in society. Although the glamorized descriptions gave the impression that working women looked like Hollywood stars, news outlets communicated that Rosie the Riveter was much more than just a pretty face. By calling for women workers and then praising the accomplishments of the women who responded, journalism—through both words and images—contributed immeasurably to the advancement of American women.
