On June 6, 2024, the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, over 30 surviving 'Rosie the Riveters' gathered at The National WWII Museum in New Orleans. They were honored for their contributions to the wartime industrial effort that supported Allied forces during World War II. The women received recognition during the Museum's annual Dr. Hal Baumgarten D-Day Commemoration and were awarded the institution's 2026 American Spirit Award, which honors individuals and organizations that exemplify outstanding qualities of the American spirit.
The event coincided with the anniversary of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France in 1944, which involved more than 150,000 troops. Museum officials emphasized the crucial role women played on the home front, as many entered the workforce to fill labor shortages in defense-related industries. The women learned various technical skills while producing equipment and supplies needed by Allied forces.
Among those honored was Delphine Klaput, 101, who worked at the Glenn L. Martin Aircraft factory, and Francesca Masters, 104, who worked on B-24 Liberator bombers at Michigan's Willow Run plant. The legacy of the 'Rosies' is noted to extend beyond wartime production, as their work reshaped women's roles in American society and continues to inspire future generations. Klaput concluded the ceremony by expressing the bond shared among the surviving Rosies and reiterated the phrase, 'We can do it.'
