I am a recent transplant from California. During World War II, I lived in San Diego, and since the schools were on half days due to the influx of many people coming to work in the war plants (aircraft mainly), we were allowed to work 4-hour shifts as we were younger than 18. Therefore, I know what I speak of when I complain about Adeena Wade representing Rosie the Riveter in an upcoming parade, reported in the May 22 story, “Clark College student helps Rose Festival bring history to life.”
Rosie had to wear her hair up and covered with a bandana, as we all did. She wouldn’t have been allowed inside the plant with long flowing hair and a bandana perched in a cute bow on top her head. The purpose of the rule was to prevent hair being caught in any of the machinery.
My cousin and I went to work together and had to wear blue jeans, tucked-in shirts and the standard “hair up and covered completely with a bandana.” We thought we looked like dorks. We worked 5 to 9 p.m. We could not work after 10 p.m., also because we were younger than 18.
Dee Peard
Vancouver
