Rosie the Riveter Statue to be Unveiled in Royal Oak

ROYAL OAK, MI — A life-sized sculpture inspired by Rosie the Riveter, the collective name given women who kept the defense industry humming while men fought overseas during World War II, will be unveiled in Royal Oak on Friday.

The statue to be unveiled at 11 a.m. at the Royal Oak Farmers Market, 316 E. 11 Mile Road, is titled “Can Do!” and is designed by American sculptor and artist Seward Johnson, who sculpted “Embracing Peace,” the towering statue of the World War II-ending kiss on loan in Royal Oak through the end of the year.

“Can Do!” will remain in Royal Oak until early November, and is being installed in time for the Oct. 13 WWII Legacy Memorial Victory Gala, also at the Royal Oak Farmers Market.

Paula Stoeke, curator at the Seward Johnson Atelier, said the statue is a reminder of the contributions of women during World War II, “including the thousands who stepped forward to build the planes, ships, vehicles and other equipment necessary to win the war.”

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“This Rosie will also encourage the sharing of memories between generations, giving granddaughters and daughters an opportunity to hear stories from their often humble mothers and grandmothers,” Stoeke said.

At the gala, Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col Alexander Johnson and Fireman 1st Class Art Fisherman, a veteran of both the U.S. Army Corps Cadet program and the U.S. Navy, will each be presented the “Victory Award.” Both have been tireless supporters of the WWII Legacy Memorial Award, according to

The event will also feature the presentation of the “Victory Award” to Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson and Fireman First Class Art Fishman, a veteran of both the US Army Air Corps Cadet program and the US Navy. Alex and Art have been tireless supporters of the memorial, according to Debi Hollis, president of the group spearheading it.

The guest speaker Gregory Sumner, co-chair of the history department at University of Detroit Mercy, will discuss the wartime contributions and sacrifices of the Motor City. Other highlights include silent and live auctions, a strolling dinner featuring and World War II-era music from The Masters of Music Quintet.

The “Can Do!” statue is presented in cooperation with The Seward Johnson Atelier and the national Keep the Spirit of ‘45 Alive organization, which promotes the observation of Spirit of ’45 Day, the annual day honoring the legacy of the men and women of the World War II that was passed unanimously by the U.S. Congress in 2010 and observed on the second weekend of August.

When completed, the memorial will stand as an international symbol of the pivotal role Michigan and the Arsenal of Democracy played in helping America and its Allies achieve final victory in WWII and in laying the foundations of the postwar recovery.

Ticket information for the gala is available here.

Image: Rosie the Riveter poster, Public Domain