By Tuseda A. Graggs

Rosie the Riveter, with her distinctive red scarf and coveralls, is a highly recognizable symbol of World War II. Last weekend, she could be spotted all over the Richmond waterfront area during the second annual Home Front Festival By the Bay.

   The hardworking, determined women who inspired Rosie’s image entered the workforce in droves during WWII and labored in American factories — including those in Richmond — shattering myths about what women could do.
    This year’s celebration recognizing “Rosies” and their contricontributions to the WWII effort were held at various locations near the Richmond waterfront area including Lucretia Edwards Park, the Cannery Building, S.S. Red Oak Victory and the Ford Building.
    Sponsored by the National Park Service, the city of Richmond, the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and Richmond Convention and Visitors’ Bureau, the three-day festival began on Oct. 3 with a dance that heralded the USO-era.
    A corner of the huge Ford Building Craneway Pavilion, with its floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the San Francisco Bay, was transformed into a USO dance hall, complete with a parquet dance floor, red, white and blue balloon arches and 1940s-era big band music. Revelers dressed in 1940s attire, and many in military uniforms danced to the sounds of “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.”
    In Richmond during WWII, Rosies from all walks of life worked at the Ford Assembly Plant, which was initially designed to build jeeps. During the war it became one of three tank depots in the United States.
    On Saturday, overcast skies didn’t stop the events and shows, including performances by legendary recording artists The Spinners and local recording artist Goapele.
    Also featured were students from the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts, the Richmond BLOCO Steel Band, Mein Legends and the Arts Jazz Collective.
    On Sunday there was a “Home Front Gathering and Reunion” at the Ford Building that culminated with a group photo of the men and women who worked during the home front effort. Organizers also honored 92-year-old Faith Petric, a folk musician, activist and former shipyard worker, for her service.
    Throughout the weekend, guided tours were available of the waterfront area and docked ships, including the S.S. Red Oak Victory, and Burlington Northern, Atchison Topeka, Santa Fe and Richmond Railroad train cards. National Park Service rangers also led tours to the Rosie the Riveter Memorial along the shoreline.