WEIRTON - During World War II, while many of the nation's men were overseas waging war against the enemy, women stepped up and took over various jobs in the workplace to help keep things going at home.
Dubbed "Rosie the Riveter" women worked in mills, factories and other manufacturing facilities, taking over roles previously only performed by men.
On July 21, the Weirton Area Museum and Cultural Center will hold an Ice Cream Social event to pay tribute to these women, and recognize those from the Tri-State Area in particular.
The Ice Cream Social will take place at the museum, 3149 Main St., Weirton, from noon to 2 p.m.
Before the event, however, museum officials are asking for any area residents who may have been a "Rosie the Riveter," "Wendy the Welder," "Amy the Assembly Line Worker," or "Shelley from the Shell Plant," to share some of their experiences.
"We're looking for any Rosie's that may still be around to tell their stories," Museum President Dennis Jones said.
According to Event co-chair Pam Makricosta, the social will include presentations and some special guests.
Among those scheduled to be on hand for the event is Thais Blatnik, a former state legislator who stepped into one of the vacant jobs at Weirton Steel during the war.
"She was a supervisor of three lines of ladies in the Shell Plant," Makricosta said.
Anne Montague, executive director of Thanks Plain and Simple Inc., will be coming from Charleston to discuss the West Virginia Rosie the Riveter project and interview the local "Rosies."
"Ann has been talking about coming up for about a year," Jones said, adding the interest came about after Montague viewed the documentary movie "Assignment Accomplished," which featured footage of women working at Weirton Steel.
Makricosta explained the women didn't have to work only at Weirton Steel to share their stories, either, as women worked at other plants of manufacturing facilities throughout the Tri-State Area during World War II.
For more information, contact the museum at (304) 224-1909 or Makricosta at (304) 670-8489.
