by Kolbe Franklin, Program Associate,
National Women’s Law Center
Rosie the Riveter took the country by storm as the symbol for women in non-traditional careers during World War II. Over 60 years later, her legacy is influencing an entirely new generation of men and women.
Enter Rosie the Riveter High School.
Founded in 2007 in Long Beach, CA, Rosie the Riveter High is the first charter school of its kind, designed to breakdown the barriers for women in nontraditional fields. Today the school enrolls 50 girls and boys in training programs focused on such trades as plumbing, carpentry, and welding.
The high school was founded by Lynn Shaw, a former miner, steelworker and longshoreman, who now serves as the head of the board of directors for Women in Non Traditional Employment Roles. Shaw recently told the LA Times that Rosie the Riveter High was designed to “change the way society looks at women.” She noted, “women in nontraditional jobs earn 20% to 40% more than women in what are considered 'traditional' women's jobs. That's $1 million over a lifetime."
Not only are these types of career and technical education programs an important way for women and girls to gain the skills they need to get good jobs with good pay, they also help prevent students from dropping out of school. Click here for more information on NWLC’s work on breaking down barriers for women in non-traditional careers.


