LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!! From our friend Lisa Karr... We have all heard of Rosey the Riveter but have you heard of Ruby! Ruby was born, raised, and worked in our hometown of Beloit! I am so excited to tell you the story about our local hometown hero! This Labor Day is all about appreciation of those who blazed paths and I cannot think of a better story than Beloit’s own 88 year old Rosy the Riveter, Ruby! December 7, 1941 The Japanese did a surprise military attack on Pearl Harbor. Ruby remembers the emotions that arise during an assembly at school, MANY of her school mates had family members who served in the armed forces, but ALL of them knew sacrifices were ahead of them. Ruby Tuttle started her manufacturing career (1942-1946) in 1942, during the summer between her junior and senior year of high school she worked at National Lock in Rockford, IL manufacturing grenades. When she graduated from high school she married Louie Gregus who was serving in the Navy at that time. In 1944/1945 she went to work at Fairbanks & Morse Company in Beloit, Wisconsin. Wearing blue one piece coveralls and a hat to cover her hair she worked as an inspector of Magnetos and Bearings for ships. Many times at the end of the work day Ruby recalls having to walk home in the dark because of the mandatory blackout the city was enforcing. Some reports say that Fairbanks was a target for the Axis Powers because of the manufacturing of ship engines for our military. In 1946 she also worked at another plant making radios for our military. This was a time when the women walked into a man’s environment and showed that not only could they help their country and do a man’s job….but they could do it just as well! This time in American History broke a lot of barriers in the work place not just between the genders, but also between the Races…..some people speculate that working beside there Africa American counterparts during the war effort in many ways prepared America for the Civil rights movement. So the reach of our “Ruby” is hard to truly comprehend. Personal note……To me, I think this woman is a hero…..she is in so many ways what makes America Beautiful, what makes women strong, and what makes us amazing! We have come so far and it is truly inspiring! More can be done, but this picture isn’t about what is wrong with America…..But what is right!
Posted on: Fri, 30 Aug 2013 04:41:36 +0000
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