Since being elected to represent Long Beach’s 5th District – which includes the Long Beach Airport and site of the old Douglas Aircraft Plant – Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske has made concerted efforts to recognize the city’s rich aviation history.
With her new Rosie The Riveter In Long Beach books (one filled with vintage photographs and another with postcards), Schipske brings to the forefront the efforts of the women who worked at the Douglas Aircraft Plant building and repairing machinery during World War II. She will be signing copies of the books at Ground Bakery and Café at 2pm on Sunday.
Portions of the proceeds will be donated to the Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation, which develops education programs and is responsible for our Rosie the Riveter Park. The idea for the books actually came together while Schipske was researching the city’s aviation history to create Rosie the Riveter Park, located at Clark Avenue and Conant Street.
The book features collections of photographs from the era when women were called on to work 8-to-10 hour shift producing war aircraft, while millions of America’s men were called off to serve. It also includes the history of Douglas/Boeing in Long Beach, and information about the Women Air Service Pilots stationed at Long Beach Army Airfield.
Ground Bakery and Café is located at 6277 E. Spring Street.