Friday, January 5, 2018

Rosie The Riveter Retires at 95

This is TOO Cool:
Longest-Serving “Rosie” Gets Her First Flight in a C-17 She Helped Make

​After 68 years in the aerospace industry, and having a hand in producing every single C-17 in the Air Force’s inventory, an original Rosie the Riveter got her first flight in one on Monday.

Elinor Otto, 98, took to the skies in a C-17 she riveted at March ARB, Calif., in a ceremonial flight flown by Air Mobility Command head Gen. Carlton Everhart.

“You are a true inspiration,” Everhart said. “In the day and age where quicker, faster, more is the goal, and job hopping is the norm, it’s inspiring to hear a story about hard work and dedication that was spread over the course of time.”

Otto joined the aerospace industry in 1942, shortly after the attacks on Pearl Harbor, when she said recruitment signs calling for women to help with the war effort. Recently single and with a young son, she started at a wage of 65 cents per hour. After World War II, the “Rosies” —terms given for women who took men’s jobs in factories—were laid off. Otto tried other jobs before going back to aerospace.

Throughout her career, she worked for Rohr Aircraft Corp., Ryan Aeronautical Co., Douglas Aircraft, and Boeing. She retired in 2014 at the age of 95. At Boeing, Otto worked on every C-17 delivered to the US Air Force, along with aircraft for other nations.

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