Rosie the Riveter Trust

The Rosie the Riveter Trust is a 501(c)3 Nonprofit cooperating association Supporting the Rosie the Riveter WWII/Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond California. The Trust partners with business, labor and the public to preserve the Park’s historic resources and sites, support visitor education and enjoyment, and articulate the important stories of the Home Front and important social change to insprie people in the Bay Area and across the U.S.

ACHIEVEMENTS – 1999-2012

Worked as a with the City, the National Park Service and a private developer to support completion of the Historic Oil House building next to the beautifully renovated Ford Assembly Plant historic site and event center in Richmond. Collaborating in the opening a brand new Visitor Center for the national park, as well as a Trust Gift and Book Store on May 26, 2012. This will provide a central locale for 80 new docents to provide tours and for visitors to enjoy travelling and permanent exhibits.

Collaborated to develop and build the Rosie the Riveter Memorial detailing the history of women, minorities, and others during WWII Home Front labor force growth. Assisted the National Park Service in acquiring memorabilia, oral histories and artifacts to preserve Home Front stories and built legislative support for the Park’s final designation as the Rosie the Riveter WWII/Home Front National Historic Park.

Developed public education materials to tell vital stories of Home Front innovations, including equal pay for women and minorities, integration of the workforce, early childhood education, development of worker safety, and the beginnings of pre-paid affordable health care. Materials include our website, an oral history video, production of a “Home Front Memories” video script, and a middle school curriculum.

Raised funds for the National Register of Historic Places nomination of Atchison Village, a 1940’s historic housing complex, placed on the Register in 2003.

Have successfully funded and produced a free summer camp for at-risk middle school girls called Rosie’s Girls, an annual skill-building and leadership summer camp that provides girls with models from women who broke barriers in the 1940's and inspires them hands-on experience in healthy risk-taking, and new visions for careers and the future.

Received a $2 million grant from California Cultural and Historic Endowment (CCHE) for renovation of the historic Maritime Childcare Center and Acquired investor, City, and grant financing to complete a $11 million renovation of Richmond’s historic Maritime Childcare Center to LEEDS Silver Standards. The new Center, when opened August 1, 2011 will house a childcare center and school, the Richmond Community Foundation, and a National Park Service park interpretive center with public educational exhibits.

Successfully collaborated with the National Park Service in openining a new Visitor Education Center on the Richmond Waterfront in May 2012, and in 2014 will re-open with new permanent exhibits.

Successfully created a new Visitor Gift Store which the Trust now operates as part of its support for national park visitor education.

Awards: Community Services Award from the Central Labor Council’s 11th Annual Labor–to–Labor Dinner in 2010; a commendation from five California Legislators; special Congressional Recognition from Congressman George Miller. Special Recognition Senator Loni Hancock.