Yankee Air Museum vows to retake Rosie world record

The Yankee Air Museum has launched its registration website and is recruiting women from the entire region to reclaim the Guinness World Record for Largest Gathering of Rosie the Riveters.
This massive event is slated for Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017 and will be held at Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation Center, 799 N. Hewitt Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48197.
The event opens at 9 a.m., but participants can arrive as late as 11 a.m. to be part of the gathering. The museum is hosting the event to celebrate women in the workforce and to inspire youthful generations with the “We Can Do It!” spirit that was so prevalent in Michigan, the crucible of the Arsenal of Democracy, during World War II.
“Rosie the Riveter endures as an important figure in America because she empowers,” said Kevin Walsh, executive director of Yankee Air Museum. “We meet women, all the time, and from all walks of life, who trace their success back to Rosie the Riveter breaking down barriers. Reclaiming the Guinness World Record amplifies Rosie’s inspiration as a community, with one voice!”
Walsh said that Representative Debbie Dingell, 12th Congressional District, and Supervisor Brenda Stumbo of Ypsilanti Township are reprising their roles as co-chairpersons of the Rosie the Riveter World Record event. Brenda McKinney, treasurer of Superior Township has also jumped on board this year and is a co-chairperson. The museum is engaged in a spirited rivalry to hang on to the title with the Rosie the Riveter WWII Homefront National Historical Park in Richmond, CA.
“This competition between California and Michigan strengthens women and strengthens the nation. Our first thought was to retake the record this past spring, but when we heard California was having another rally in August, we knew we had to break their record soon afterwards,” said Rep. Dingell. “Our event will combine meaningful messages and activities for recognizing the power that we, as women, bring to the workplace and the economy.”
On Saturday, Aug. 13, 2016 a claimed 2,265 people, dressed as Rosie the Riveter, gathered at the National Rosie the Riveter Park to set the current record. The previous record of 2,096 People Dressed as Rosie had been held by Yankee Air Museum since Oct. 24, 2015. California is planning to raise the record on Aug. 12, and this has aroused the proverbial sleeping giants.
“Bring it on California! With the help of women across Michigan and our region, we are bringing our record back where the original Rosie worked, at our Bomber Plant in Ypsilanti Township,” said Supervisor Stumbo. “Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation Center is large enough to accommodate 8,000 people and the adjoining EMU field is called FACTORY field for a reason! This is proud EMU country where our colors are green and our collars are blue. We can do it!” Stumbo concluded.
With the launch of the website and official announcement of Oct. 14, as “R-Day,” all three co-chairs of the event stressed the urgency to get the word out and encourage women in the strongest terms to register for the event.
“Women of the Greatest Generation did not wait to be counted, they did not wait to enter the defense industry and do the work America needed,” said Brenda McKinney. “We cannot wait either. In California they are on the move. I call on all women to join us in Michigan. Register now and be with us at Eastern Michigan University’s Convocation Center on Oct. 14.”
There is no cost to attend this event and doors will open at 9 a.m. In order to be counted in the World Record gathering participants are asked to arrive no later than 11 a.m. Women of all ages are encouraged to attend. Participants must register for the activity and can do so ahead of time at: http://yankeeairmuseum.org/rosie-world-record/ . Costume requirements consist of dark blue work clothes, red socks, dark shoes with closed toes, and the quintessential red and white polka dot bandanna.
“Yankee Air Museum is proud of its Ypsilanti heritage and home at historic Willow Run Airport,” said Walsh. “This world record effort brings attention to the campaign to renovate the Willow Run factory, home of the original Rosie the Riveter during WWII. We will have plenty of up to date information about our efforts to finish the job at the Bomber Plant, turning it into our new home.”
The Rosie World Record event is being supported by the Washtenaw County Convention and Visitors Bureau and DTE Energy.
Yankee Air Museum, established in 1981 is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The museum works to positively excite kids and stimulate interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) to help meet the challenges facing America. Yankee Air Museum, located at 47884 D Street, Belleville, on the grounds of historic Willow Run Airport, is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.yankeeairmuseum.org to discover more about how the museum is working to preserve local history with the www.SavetheBomberPlant.org campaign. For more information, call (734) 483-4030.