Eight members of IBEW Local 48’s Sisters in Solidarity group traveled to Honolulu this month to take part in a National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day ceremony Dec. 6-7. The group was invited by the American Rosie the Riveter Association after Local 48 members marched in the Portland Rose Festival Grand Floral Parade dressed as Rosie the Riveter from the iconic “We Can Do It” poster. They marched as Rosies again in Honolulu, and both times they accompanied some of the original World War II Rosies. The original Rosies — women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II — are now in their late 90s and 100s. One of those in attendance in Honolulu was 101-year-old Clarice Lafreniere of Independence, Ore., who was a welder at Kaiser Shipyards in Portland during the war.
“Because these women stepped up to help out our country, it paved the way for me to be able to have a career in construction,” said Local 48 journeyworker Leslie Troup.
“They were helping their country, and they are gratified that they also opened doors for women,” said Yvonne Fasold, Oregon state director of American Rosie the Riveter Association. “It’s such a wonderful feeling when the younger generation meets these women who did those jobs so long ago. It’s inspirational for both sides.”
Local 48 helped pay for the trip. The Local 48 Rosies also visited IBEW Local 1186 in Honolulu and toured the Pearl Harbor National Memorial. Members say they want to continue to attend events and help draw more women into their trade; they’ve been invited to attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City next year.
“I want to show the younger generation that women don’t have to be afraid to be strong and do things they want to do,” said Local 48 electrician RaNon Chaussee, who organized the Honolulu trip. “We want to carry on the tradition of Rosie – you can do anything you set your mind to.”
[12/16/23 CORRECTION: The caption in the photo at top has been corrected. Tonya McNeese was inadvertently left off the list as it first appeared.]
