Calif. challenges Mich. ‘Rosie the Riveter’ record

Richmond, Calif. — Hundreds of women of all ages donned blue coveralls, red socks, and red bandannas with white polka dots and gathered in Richmond 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 March 2014 when 776 Rosies gathered at Willow Run Airport in Ypsilanti.

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.