Ada Win Parker-Loy, a cultural icon "Rosie the Riveter", passes away in The Dalles
Ada Win Parker-Loy a cultural icon “Rosie the Riveter” passed away on August 16, 2022, at home surrounded by family in The Dalles, Oregon. Ada was born November 3, 1923, and was 98 years of age at the time of passing.
Ada was one of the inspiring workers of World War II, which spurred the famous Rosie The Riveter poster that continues to endure and be imitated.
She went to work at the machine shop at the Navy Air Base in Alameda, California, where she riveted and patched airplane wings, on Dec. 12, 1941 - five days after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.
World War II quickly drained the US Workforce and just as quickly created a job market for women in the industrialized workforce. In other words, as men left their positions to enlist in the army, the need grew for women to fill the void by doing their jobs. Some three million women took jobs in factories, nationwide.
Out of this, the Powerful Icon of Rosie the Riveter was created as a recruiting tool by Westinghouse. It immediately evoked feelings of strength and patriotism. The poster continues to honor the strength, flexibility and ingenuity of women everywhere to this day.
And the origins of that Poster tended to be a mystery shrouded in controversy until several years ago.
Four years ago, James J. Kimble, a Seton Hall University Professor came up with the definitive proof that Ada’s sister, Naomi Parker Fraley, was the original model for the Rosie The Riveter posters.
Kimble spent six years piecing the history together and located the vintage poster with the photographer’s original caption dated March 24, 1942, and the location, Alameda.
Fraley fought to be recognized and was successful in that venture. She died four years ago at the age of 96.
The community is welcome to stop by to watch a special tribute video and look at mementos and leave a note of condolence or message in a specially bound book from 12-noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, November 5th, 2022 (two days after Ada’s 99th birthday) at Anderson's Tribute Center • Celilo Chapel 204 E. 4th Street, The Dalles, Oregon 97058.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
