PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — One of the 600,000 African American "Rosie the Riveters" recently marked a special milestone.
"I really don't feel any different than I did when I was 70. So I don't even know how I got here. Because I don't feel like I'm 100 years old," said Ruth Wilson.
During World War II, Wilson worked at the Navy Yard to help build the USS Valley Forge aircraft carrier. On April 5, she turned 100 years old.
Recognition came later in life, just a few years ago, when filmmaker Gregory Cooke began his mission to highlight Black Rosies like Wilson in his documentary, "Invisible Warriors: African American Women in World War II."
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"I think it's real cool to be in the presence of someone 100 years old. I mean, it's not something that most of us ever get an opportunity to do. Mrs. Wilson's, the only one I've really gotten to know. And we've developed this relationship," said Cooke.
"By talking to Mrs. Wilson in particular, and a couple of the other women in my documentary, it's helped me put together some historical context for what my own mother must have experienced because she was a Rosie, and we never talked about it."
"He put me on cloud nine," said Wilson. "Now everybody knows me. Well, before nobody knew me. He said, 'I'm gonna make you famous.' And he has done over and beyond."
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Wilson celebrated with a birthday party in South Philadelphia where she got a throne and crown she earned over a long, full life.
"It was over the top. I was just on cloud nine. I really enjoyed it and I just acted crazy as I could," she shared.
What's her secret to growing old? "Work," she said.
"As long as you work and keep your brain moving, you'll make it. I do crossword puzzles. You have to do something that keeps your brain going."
Learn more about the women who fueled the war effort from home, including those from our region.
