Geraldine Hoff Doyle was the model for the World War II "Rosie the Riveter" poster. Doyle died in Lansing, Michigan on December 26, 2010 at the age of 86.
In 1942 Doyle was 17 year old. She was a metal presser in a Michigan factory. A photo taken by a wire service photographer was turned into a war poster by graphic artist J. Howard Miller.
It turns out that Doyle only worked two weeks as a day laborer before quitting as she feared a hand injury would prevent her from playing the cello. Doyle had learned had learned that another woman had injured herself doing the same job.
The photo was used for an internal project at Westinghouse and wasn’t widely distributed until the 1980′s as a prop for women’s equality in the workplace.
Doyle wasn't aware of the poster until 1984 when she discovered the original photograph in a 1940′s back issue of Modern Maturity magazine. The magazine today is known as AARP The Magazine.
Photo: Modern Maturity
The term "Rosie the Riveter" is rooted from a 1942 song about the women who took over factory jobs when American men went off to war.
Daughter Stephanie Gregg said in an interview that "She would say that she was the 'We Can Do It!" girl."
"She never wanted to take anything away from all the Rosie the Riveters who were doing the riveting."
Doyle was married to dentist Leo Doyle. They were married for 66 years. Leo Doyle died in early 2010.
Doyle is survived by five children, 18 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren.
A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, January 8 in Lansing, Michigan.
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