Long Beach native and author Gerrie Schipske will present and sign her book Rosie the Riveter in Long Beach on Sunday, June 8 at 2 p.m. at Grounds Bakery and Café, 6277 E. Spring Street in Long Beach.
During World War II, many women in Long Beach were put to work at the Douglas Aircraft Plant to help produce important war aircraft. Although many of the women lost their jobs after the war, their stories and legacies live on.
While researching information to rename a park as “Rosie the Riveter Park,” local author Gerrie Schipske came across a number of photographs and stories that she knew needed to be published. She has put together this book and postcard packet to honor those women in Long Beach who contributed to the war’s homefront efforts.
Schipske hopes both products “will inspire women to tell their stories.”
Highlights of Rosie the Riveter include rare vintage photographs of women working during World War II from public and private collections, images of many of the women as they worked 8- and 10- hour shifts doing man-sized jobs, and information on the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) who were stationed at the Long Beach Army Airfield. 
Schipske has taught in the Women’s Studies Department of California State University, Long Beach. She was elected to the Long Beach City Council and represents the 5th District, which encompasses the Long Beach Airport and the site of the Douglas Aircraft Plant.
Copies of the book will be available at the book signing and at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers: www.lbrosie.com or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or www.arcadia publishing.com.
A portion of proceeds from the book will be donated to The Long Beach Rosie the Riveter Foundation to develop Rosie the Riveter Park and education programs.
