Before she was a 'Rosie,' Carmella "Millie" Wood already had a strong sense of self. As the eldest of five, she grew up helping others and believed in her abilities.
When World War II broke out, Carmella knew she wanted to do her part and serve her country. As a woman, she could not enlist, but she could do the next best thing and go to work in a factory on the home front. Armed with a power riveting gun, Carmella worked over the next two years on three configurations of the Corsair bombers (the F4U, FG-1 and F3A-1) at Chance Vought in East Hartford, Conn. bolstering both the war effort and the role of women in American society.
Carmella, and women like her of this period, collectively became known as Rosie the Rivetors characterized by a 1942 tune and the iconic poster. Annual Rosie the Riveter Conventions continue to take place to this day. When Las Vegas played host to this four-day event, then Mayor Oscar Goodman proclaimed a 'Rosie the Riveter Day' in their honor.
Carmella is a proud member of this elite group of trailblazers. She is an American Hero who proudly wears her Rosie the Riveter attire everywhere she goes, creating smiles and new friends along the way.
