Bold and Full: Geraldine Hoff Doyle
Our Bold and Full spotlight today is Geraldine Hoff Doyle (July 31, 1924 – December 26, 2010), the inspiration behind the "We Can Do It!" poster.
As a young girl in Michigan, Geraldine had a desire to support America's World War II efforts and landed a factory job at American Broach and Machine Co. While on the job, a photographer for United Press International (UPI) snapped 17 year-old Geraldine's photo, which was then used by motivational poster artist J. Howard Miller to create his iconic "We Can Do It!" poster featuring Rosie the Riveter.
Photo: Wikipedia
Of this famous poster, the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) says:
"Of all the images of working women during World War II, the image of women in factories predominates. Rosie the Riveter--the strong, competent woman dressed in overalls and bandanna--was introduced as a symbol of patriotic womanhood. The accoutrements of war work--uniforms, tools, and lunch pails--were incorporated into the revised image of the feminine ideal."
Rosie the Riveter represents Geraldine Doyle and all of the incredibly strong women who hustled to help with the war efforts. These women took on jobs previously only held by men and as a tribe were able to create invaluable and lifesaving supplies for the war. Today, Rosie still radiates confidence and courage.
Get Geraldine's Becca Teardrop Dangle Earrings.
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