You've all read about the five Rosie the Riveters who (through the hard work of Phyllis Gould, one of the group) had wrangled an invitation to the White House through Vice President Joe Biden. It turned out to be a once in a lifetime grand adventure for 5 deserving elders who served their country well by answering the call when needed in the wartime workforce during WWII.
Phyllis is one of the Rosies who are still serving as volunteers at our Visitors Education Center in Richmond. They're on site from ten until two o'clock every Friday to interact with the public and share their history as the first women hired into non-traditional roles during WWII. She has been working on getting invited to the White House and national recognition since the Clinton Administration -- through two Bush terms -- and now into the present. Vice President Biden finally responded positively, but the invitation didn't cover travel expenses so several agencies stepped up to sponsor their adventure, including Virgin Airlines who booked only female pilots to fly them -- first class -- to Washington where they enjoyed a week of festivities!
And, folks, I do truly appreciate your concern that I was not included in what was a private party, but I've had more than my share of notoriety over past years, which included an invitation to witness the Inauguration of President Barack Obama, and though I've had my recent moments of envy -- I'm not the only crayon in the box, and this one was not meant for me.
I'm taking comfort in the fact that so many of you were outraged at what they believed to have been an oversight of the White House. Not so.
Congratulations to Phyllis on her persistence in finally gaining the recognition she's been seeking for so many years!
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