Naomi Fraley aka "Rosie the Riveter" passed away at 96

[Xernicus]

Naomi Parker Fraley, who was the inspiration for the iconic "Rosie the Riveter" passed away today at age 96.

She worked in a Navy Machine Shop in Alameda, CA as a lathe worker during WWII.
Her photograph was taken by an Acme photographer, while she was working at her lathe with her hair tied up for safety.

The iconic poster was used to represent women who worked in factories during World War II, and came to be a symbol of feminism and economic power for American women.
However, the inspiration for "Rosie the Riveter" has been erroneously reported and was under dispute for quite some time. A claim from a Geraldine Doyle who worked as a metal presser in 1942 often seemed to be the most plausible.

However in 2010, after the death of Mrs. Doyle, a scholar named Dr. James Kimble decided to do some detective work about the iconic photograph and poster. After six years of research, he was able to determine that it was actually Mrs. Fraley who was the inspiration for the iconic "Rosie the Riveter" poster after finding a copy of the photograph with a caption stating “Pretty Naomi Parker looks like she might catch her nose in the turret lathe she is operating.”

Naomi Fraley is survived by her son, six step-children, two sisters, and several grand and great-grandchildren. May she rest in peace.

Source: New York Times Obituary.