Rosie, a Detroit Herstory is a remarkable story for young readers
about women workers during World War II. At this time in history, women
began working jobs that had previously been performed only by men, such
as running family businesses, operating machinery, and working on
assembly lines. Across America, women produced everything from ships and
tanks, to ammunition and uniforms, in spectacular quantities. Their
skill, bravery, tenacity, and spirit became a rallying point of American
patriotism and aided in defining Detroit as the Arsenal of Democracy.
Even though women workers were invaluable to the war effort, they met
with many challenges that their male counterparts never faced. Yet, for
all of their struggles, their successes were monumental. Today, we refer
to them as Rosies-a group of women defined not by the identity of a
single riveter but by the collective might of hundreds of thousands of
women whose labors helped save the world.
Rosie, a Detroit Herstory features informative, rhyming text by Bailey
Sisoy Isgro and beautifully illustrated original artwork by Nicole
Lapointe. The story begins with the start of the Second World War and
the eventual need for women to join the American workforce as men
shipped out to war. By the end of the story, readers will have a better
understanding of who and what Rosie the Riveter really was, how Detroit
became a wartime industrial powerhouse, and why the legacy of women war
workers is still so important. A glossary is provided for more difficult
concepts, as well as a timeline of events.
SIsoy Isgro and Lapointe first came up with the idea for the book on a
ten-hour drive to the 2017 Women's March in Washington, D.C., inspired
by the overwhelming number of women who came together for the event.
Rosie, a Detroit Herstory is written for children ages 8 to 12, but
any reader interested in Detroit or women in history will appreciate
this entertaining chronicle.
