Michigan Seeks Rosie the Riveter Stories and is asking for your help!

By Andi Anderson

Michigan manufacturing leaders and community organizations are preparing for Michigan Rosie the Riveter Day scheduled for March 13, 2026. The event will be hosted at Capital Region International Airport and will focus on honoring women who played a major role during World War II.

Many people will know that during the war women across Michigan filled vital positions in factories fields and defense facilities. They helped produce planes, tanks, tools, and engines, but they were also vital in supporting agriculture at home. Their work ensured economic stability and helped reshape opportunities for women in future generations.

“Michigan Rosie Day honors the women whose skill and resolve kept Michigan moving during wartime. We hope their example inspires today’s women in STEM and the skilled trades to pursue bold careers, and that these stories continue to shape how we teach, recruit, and remember,” said Cindy Kangas, Executive Director of the Capital Area Manufacturing Council.

Organizers are calling on families to help bring these stories to life. Community members are invited to share photos, letters, uniforms of factory experiences, farm records and memories related to World War Two. These materials will become part of the event's displays and presentations.

“We encourage Michiganders to open old boxes and make a few meaningful phone calls. Ask your parents, grandparents, and aunts what your family was doing during the war. Those conversations keep our country’s history, our local businesses, and our family legacies alive,” said Tanya Blehm, Event Coordinator.

The event also ensures that no story is excluded due to physical limitations.

“We are deeply committed to accessibility. If a WWII-era Rosie or veteran relative is homebound or unable to attend, our team will work with families to ensure their story and likeness are represented. Children and grandchildren of Rosies are invited and encouraged to speak on behalf of their loved ones during the program so every legacy can be honored and shared,” said Jeannette Gutierrez, Rosie the Riveter Association of Michigan.

“When grandchildren share their Rosie’s story, they carry forward not just family pride, but the values of hard work and courage that define Michigan. Every Rosie’s story matters—whether told in person, through a photograph, or by a loved one. Michigan Rosie Day is committed to ensuring no voice is left behind,” said Wanda Norman, Automation Alley.

Families interested in participating may contact cindy@camconline.org or register at https://mirosieday.org/. Ongoing updates are available on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/share/1UHavGPDuz/.