Emily Randall: “I recently had a chance to go to a 100th birthday celebration of one of my constituents, who was an original Rosie, Ms.…”

“I recently had a chance to go to a 100th birthday celebration of one of my constituents, who was an original Rosie, Ms. Jean Lillian Winther, whose story was part of the fabric of our country's history at a time when women were rarely seen in the shipbuilding trades. Jean stepped forward with courage and determination, taking up the torch, quite literally. She showed that women could excel as welders, as builders, as defenders of our Nation's security, and, as I learned at her birthday, as excellent dancers on the decks of an aircraft carrier in between shifts. Her work on the Essex-class carriers was vital to our Navy's success, but her example reached even further. Jean blazed a trail for women who came after her, proving that skills and determination know no boundaries. Every woman who has picked up a welding torch or entered a shipyard since has walked a little easier because of women like Jean. I am so honored to support this legislation to make sure that we commemorate in a place of honor the women who helped shape our country and helped shape the future of women in service and in the trades for years to come.”