WASHINGTON (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) — On Thursday, U.S. Senator Bob Casey's (Democrat-Pennsylvania) Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act was signed and became law.
The legislation's goal is to recognize and honor American women who joined the workforce during World War II.
The law will award those women a Congressional Gold Medal.
Dubbed as "Rosie the Riveters," women who stepped up during WWII to build vehicles, weapons, and ammo will now be distinguished.
Along with Senator Casey, U.S. Senator Susan Collins and U.S. Representatives Jackie Speier and Brian Fitzpatrick helped pave the way for the legislation.
The bill was co-sponsored by 76 senators, including a unanimous sweep among all female senators.
"Millions of women helped support our troops during WWII, whether they worked on assembly lines, addressed the troops' medical needs or tended to ships and farms. These 'Rosie the Riveters' have set an example of the 'We Can Do It' spirit for decades, and this recognition of their tremendous service and patriotism is long overdue," said Senator Casey.
"I am glad to announce that the Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act is now law, and I am grateful to my colleagues in the Senate and the House of Representatives for their partnership in moving this legislation forward," Casey added.
During the war, the women workforce percentage jumped from 27% to 37% from 1940 to 1945.
By the time the war ended, almost a quarter of married women at the time had left the home to start working.
Out of all the industries that saw an increase in female workers, the aviation field saw the most significant growth.
Almost two-thirds of the aviation workforce was made up of women by 1943, 310,000 workers.
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