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Riveting record

Some of the original “Rosie the Riveter” women sitting in the first row, who worked in the Richmond shipyards during World War II, joined hundreds of women dressed as the iconic “Rosie” in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record at Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, Calif., on Saturday. The current record was set last year when 776 Rosie and Rosie look-alikes gathered at the Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti, Mich.
Hundreds attempt 'Rosie the Riveter' record in California

RICHMOND, Calif. — Hundreds of women of all ages donned blue coveralls, red socks, and red bandannas with white polka dots and gathered near San Francisco in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the most Rosies in one place at one time since World War II.

The attempt was likely successful but Guinness must still review and authenticate the headcount. It will also verify all the Rosies conformed to uniform specifications, which detailed the acceptable size of the polka dots on their bandannas, the Contra Costa Times reported Sunday.

Event organizers say they believe the record was broken because more than 800 bandannas that met the requirement were sold before the event held Saturday at Rosie the Riveter Memorial in Richmond’s Marina Park.

The last record was set in May when 776 Rosies gathered in Ypsilanti, Mich.

The Rosies are credited with empowering young girls and redefining a woman’s role in the workplace.

Phyllis Gould, who participated in the record -breaking event, worked for three years as a welder at the Kaiser shipyards in Richmond until World War II came to an end.

“I felt like I could do anything if I set my mind to it,” said Gould, 93.

Her then husband, also a welder, wasn’t so supportive and their marriage broke up, she said.

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