Image obtained via Blogspot here.
As the World Digital Library phrases it, “This poster, produced by Westinghouse during World War II for the War Production Co-Ordinating Committee, was part of the national campaign in the United States to enlist women in the workforce.” This effort revolutionized the role of women in war and responded to the growing need for bodies in labor.
World Digital Library explains,”In the face of acute wartime labor shortages, women were needed in the defense industries, the civilian service, and even the armed forces. Publicity campaigns were aimed at encouraging those women who had never before held jobs to join the workforce. Poster and film images glorified and glamorized the roles of working women and suggested that a woman’s femininity need not be sacrificed. Women were portrayed as attractive, confident, and resolved to do their part to win the war.”
While there were many posters that circulated during this time period- some for women in labor some against- this poster stood out because it featured an iconic woman on the cover. World Digital Library expands on this,”Of all the images of working women during World War II, the image of women in factories predominates. Rosie the Riveter–the strong, competent woman dressed in overalls and bandanna–was introduced as a symbol of patriotic womanhood. The accoutrements of war work–uniforms, tools, and lunch pails–were incorporated into the revised image of the feminine ideal.”
The poster has become a well noted image associated with feminism and politics as well. As noted in the last quote the poster revised the feminine ideal- impacting the way the world viewed women and the way they viewed themselves. This poster is successful in impacting the politics that shaped labor and gender perspectives during the time, and is also successful in becoming a prominent and iconic poster for historical use- thus making it another example of the interplay between art and politics in the world.
The Political Canvas 
