Krier brings Rosie the Riveter’s “Yes we can!” spirit from America’s 1940’s World War II era into 21st Century Uvalde
Photo credit: El Progreso Memorial Library
At 97 years old Mae Krier continues to live out the Yes we can!” spirit that rallied women during World War II and is known best as “Rosie the Riveter ” Krier came to the El Progreso Memorial Library on Wednesday, April 20th and then visited First State Bank and Esperanza Park where, Day two of the Kaboom! Community Playground Build was taking place. Many officials, business leaders and residents took pictures with “Rosie the Riveter ” striking the iconic bent arm pose which was featured in the iconic WWII era poster which rallied American women to get into the factories making fighter planes, bombers, gliders and military machinery needed for the war.
El Progreso Library Director Mendell Morgan said, “Rosie’s motto is “Yes we can!” and she wanted to pass this on to bolster our spirits. Her idea was to read a storybook and take photos. Instead, we asked her to just tell her own story. It was a GREAT success. Little ones related to her as a grandmother/great grandmother figure and adults were charmed. Judge Mitchell came along with Steve Balke to represent the City. He presented her with a key to the City and a gift bag. Olga came as Chamber representative with another gift bag and then drove the entourage to see the murals, visit Esperanza Park build, tour the Bank and Chamber. The library hosted lunch at the Country Club. She met a lot of folks including law enforcement along the way and touched the hearts of us all with her wonderful presence. She is bright as a dollar and very articulate in a direct, no nonsense way that evokes the wonderful qualities of “the greatest generation” of which she is a part.
They suffered many hardships (Great Depression, Dusty Bowl, World War II, etc.) but rose above to go out and do what needed to be done without whining and complaint. She is just remarkable and a living American icon. We wanted to just keep her here!!”
According to Lea Rentch who went to see Krier at El Progreso Memorial Library, she said Krier heard Krier say there were many “Rosie the Riveters” working in different factories making different things for the US Military and the War effort. Krier represents many of these women.
For the past 20 years, Mae has worked tirelessly to educate the public about the role women played on the Homefront during WWII.
“I met my husband, Norm, on the dance floor at the Servicemen’s Center in Seattle, Washington in 1944. He was a great dancer. We were married just 8 days after Roosevelt died in 1945, and would have been married 70 years if he had lived a few months longer. In addition to being one of the original Rosies who married a WWII veteran, I am a mother, a grandmother, a great grandmother and a great, great grandmother with three great, great grandchildren (the youngest of which is a girl who is after me.) My son and daughter have been successful in their lives and are now in their 70’s and retired. I’ve had a good life and it just seems to continue on. I’ve been blessed. Doing what I’ve been doing to get recognition for Rosie’s has been a blessing. I get to meet so many nice people and I really enjoy being with them. It is good to have a purpose in life and this program sure has done that for me.” according to a post at www.spiritof45.org
“According to Mae’s mission is to ensure that the Rosie’s legacy continues to inspire future generations, especially young women who are competing for careers in today’s high tech economy. She is also concerned that the surviving Rosies, few of whom received any recognition over the years, are acknowledged by their communities. May is a proud member of the American Rosie the Riveter Association,”
according to www.spiritof45.org
