Phyllis and her children

Phyllis eventually was able to buy a small trailer behind a house off Ecorse Road and sent for Nancy (her only girl) and her oldest son to come live with her. Nancy, who was only eight years old at the time, recalls that her mother sometimes had to work all night at the plant. Phyllis continued to earn and save her money, and when Willow Village opened – housing for plant workers whose numbers far exceeded the available housing in Ypsilanti at the time – she rented a two-bedroom apartment there and had her two other children sent down to live with her, as well.

“She was at work all the time,” Nancy recalled. According to HenryFord.org, the standard workweek at the bomber plant for hourly employees was 54 hours, with time and a half for overtime, and women on the assembly line were paid the same as men. Nancy has memories of French braiding her mother’s hair every morning, not for vanity but for safety. “They had to always have their heads covered in what they called ‘snoods,’” Nancy said – a kind of thick hairnet or bag to keep hair back – or something akin to the iconic red polka dot bandana now associated with Rosie the Riveters.

Like many others in the “Greatest Generation,” Phyllis didn’t talk much about her part in the war effort, and she seldom complained. “The hardest place to rivet was center wing; I remember her talking about that,” Nancy said. “She almost got drilled one day doing that because her sweater got caught, but it didn’t get to her body.”

wasn’t all the Rosies did, either. “They needed women to do everything,” Nancy said. In addition to working in the plant, Nancy remembers her mother “feeding other people out at the picnic tables, too.” All able men were conscripted for the war, but Nancy smiles reminiscing about the dances she attended every Friday night with her mother in Willow Village. “We taught a lot of old men there how to do the schottische (a partnered dance that was popular in the U.P.),” she said.

On Sundays, Phyllis took her four children to church, out to eat, and to the movies, offering the family some rest and relaxation. “We didn’t have electric stoves or refrigerators. We had coal bins out in the yard where we had to get the coal to keep warm and to cook. It was a whole different world,” Nancy said. But even though her mother “had all that responsibility” and “was tired from work and worry,” Nancy, who grew up to be a working mother of five herself, marvels all these years later at how Phyllis “kept everything up.”

Two years to the day after Phyllis Kimlin began working in the Willow Run plant, her employment ended May 29, 1945. “When the war was over, they kicked all the women out,” Nancy said. “The men (returning from the war) had to have the jobs, which I understand somewhat, but she still had four kids to feed.” Eventually Phyllis found work in another factory and kept her family in Ypsilanti, but Nancy never forgot the day when, a few years after the war ended, her gainfully employed mother took her shopping but wasn’t allowed to buy the clothes on credit without a man. “And after she’d done all that and worked to save the damn world in the war,” Nancy said, quickly reprimanding herself for her mild curse and taking a moment to pause before speaking again.

A small and delicate pink plate, about the diameter of a softball, is displayed on an end table in Nancy Roberts’ living room. In cursive gold letters is the proclamation, “I am a strong woman because a strong woman raised me.” “If it wasn’t for the Rosies, we would not have won the war,” Nancy said. “They built ships; they built airplanes; they ran gas stations; they took care of families at the same time. They did everything – ran grocery stores. Being a Rosie was just the tip of it.”

After decades of activism calling for recognition of these women, the United States Congress in 2017 declared March 21 as National Rosie the Riveter Day. The American Rosie the Riveter Association (ARRA), founded in 1998, estimates six million Rosies worked in the nation’s factories, shipyards, and bomber plants during World War II, with an additional estimated 10 million volunteer Rosies. Michigan’s Willow Run chapter of the ARRA is the largest and most active in the nation.

On March 21, 2023, Michigan will celebrate the National Rosie Day at the state capitol in Lansing with events collectively planned by six Michigan Manufacturing Councils, including Capital Area Manufacturing Council, Women in Manufacturing, and the ARRA Willow Run Chapter of Rosies. Starting at 3pm inside the capitol, 10 Rosies who plan to attend (most of whom are over 100 years old) will be honored, followed by a 4:30pm rally outside with a group photo on the steps of the capitol.

“Rosie stories haven’t been told,” said Cindy Kangas, executive director of Capital Area Manufacturing Council. “We couldn’t have done it without them – they helped to win the war and keep the economy going. They kept food in the grocery stores and on the table.” And beyond that, the Rosies’ legacy helped change the narrative of what women can do.

Kangas emphasized that women in manufacturing and the skilled trades has continued importance today, and she encourages girls and women to learn more about career opportunities in these fields.

At the capitol event, “Everyone is welcome to come – men, women, those in or out of manufacturing. The hope is for five generations,” Kangas said. “Come hear the Rosies’ stories and history. Put bandanas on and take pictures. Learn how you can do it, too!” n

For more information and to register for the free event at the state capitol, visit eventbrite. com/e/rosie-day-tickets-444138057887.

Delicious, juicy burgers - always made with fresh, never frozen ground beef. Great selection of beer, wine and full bar. Amazing food! Lunch, dinner and appetizers. Hang out around the firepit or on the patio. Dine-in or carry out.

MUK’S SPORTS PUB

(517) 423-6364 • mukssportspub.com 

107 S Evans St, Tecumseh

Open Daily

A unique dining experience for lunch and special events. Reservations recommended. Opening for dinner soon.

GOVERNOR CROSWELL TEA ROOM

(517) 920-4167 • 123 E Maumee St, Adrian governorcroswelltearoom.com 

T-F 11-2, Sat 11-3

Mexican favorites; fajitas, chimichangas, wet burritos, street tacos, famous California burrito and desserts like flan, fried ice cream and churros. Full bar and delicious margaritas! Also in Milan and Springbrook Commons Plaza in Blissfield.

PEPPERS MEXICAN GRILL

(517) 815-1283 • peppersmexicangrill.net 

1410 W Chicago Blvd, Tecumseh Sun, T-Th 11-8, F, Sat 11-9

Did you know flights are offered all year round? Choose from seasonal coffee, traditional coffee, or a tea flight with teas that are locally sourced! Also serving cold brew and pressed juices. Check out the new Adrian location next to Chaloner’s.

MUSGROVE + COMPANY

Downtown Adrian, Jackson and Tecumseh

M-F 7-5, Sat & Sun 8-5 www.musgrove.company 

Artisanal cheeses, Black Pig Salame, Peppalo chocolates, truffles, wine/beverage selection and specialty foods. Perfect for Easter and Mother’s Day and any day in between.

THE BOULEVARD MARKET

(517) 423-6000 • boulevardmarket.com 

102 E Chicago Blvd, Tecumseh

Tuesday - Saturday 9-6

Come on down for juicy pulled pork sliders! Also beef brisket, pulled chicken, ribs, pulled pork sundaes, sides and desserts! Catering available. New gift/fudge shop.

RANDY’S ROADSIDE BAR-B-QUE (517) 908-5387 • randysbarbeque.com

7007 US-12, in the Irish Hills (Onsted) 

Wednesday-Sunday 12-6

Come to the lake. Offering familiar fare/ cocktails in a comfy setting with lake views. Appetizers, pizza, fish, burgers, sandwiches, soups/salads, full bar, cocktails. Karaoke too!

JERRY’S PUB & RESTAURANT

(517) 467-4700 • jerryspub.com 

650 Egan Hwy, Brooklyn

W-Sun, 11-9, F, Sat 11-12

Senior dinner specials (62+) from 2-5pm. Spaghetti, fish ‘n chips, chicken tenders or fried shrimp includes two sides and a beverage! Kids eat FREE Tuesdays from 4pm-close. One FREE kids meal with purchase of one adult meal.

TUCKEY’S BIG BOY

(517) 423-7464 • bigboy.com 

12701 E Monroe Rd, Tecumseh • Sun-Th 7-8, F & Sat 7-9

Check the ever-changing pizzas of the month! Ribs, chicken, salads, pasta, BBQ, soups, wraps, sandwiches and famous breadsticks. Catering too! Family friendly, fast casual.

BASIL BOYS (517) 423-1875 • basilboys.com 

125 W Chicago Blvd, Tecumseh

T-Th 3:30-9:30, F&Sat 11-9:30, Closed Sun, M & Holidays

Speed up take-outs - order online for individual/groups! Burritos, nachos, tacos, fajitas, salads, brunch and great drinks can also be enjoyed inside or on the patio.

SALSARIA’S

(517) 423-0018 • ordersalsarias.com 

146 E Chicago Blvd, Tecumseh

M-Sat Open at 11am • Sat Brunch 10-2

Fun and affordable dogs that are sure to please anyone! Buffalo dog, Pizza dog, German dog, Chicago dog, etc. Paninis, wraps and desserts. Mon & Wed 99¢ coney dogs.

THE DOG HOUSE RESTAURANT

(517) 301-4266 • thedoghouserestaurant.com 

107 E Chicago Blvd, Tecumseh

M-F 10-7, Sat 10-4

Build your own Bloody Mary! Pick your favorite toppings. Also the best burgers in town. Chicken wings/tenders, steak, nachos, tacos, fish fry Fridays and more! Full service bar.

EMBERS BAR AND GRILL

(517) 423-2601 

1370 W Chicago Blvd, Tecumseh Plaza

T-Th 12-10, F & Sa 12-11

Specialty pizzas like the taco pizza or Chicken Shawarma pizza. Also serving subs, salads, Mid-Eastern chicken/beef shawarma, grape leaves/falafels.

BROWNIE’S HOUSE OF PIZZA

(517) 423-8324 • (517) 815-1838

1002 W Chicago Blvd, Tecumseh 

Tuesday-Sunday 4-8

Have a tea party with adorable finger foods. You’ll be gobsmacked by the variety of tea’s, soup, sandwiches, salads, quiche, desserts, and a great gift selection. Dine-in or take-away.

BRITISH TEA GARDEN

(517) 423-7873

• thebritishpantry.com 

112 E Chicago Blvd, Tecumseh

Tu-Sat (lunch) 11-3, (store) 10-4

A plethora of delicious house made goodies! Sandwiches, to-go meals, liquor/beer/wine, popcorn, candy and essentials. Old school country store with modern convenience goods!

MACON GROCERY

(517) 423-7275 

8160 Clinton-Macon Rd, Macon M-Sat 7-7, Sun 9-6