Kingston resident Margaret Spalluzzi, believed to be the last living “Rosie the Riveter” in Massachusetts, was honored at a State House ceremony on May 2 where she was presented the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Ms. Spalluzzi, who is 102 years old, worked as a welder in the Hingham Shipyard during World War II. The women who performed this work did so to fill the jobs left vacant by men who were deployed during the war. Their doing so led to the term and cultural icon “Rosie the Riveter,” which was used to help recruit women to work in the factories and shipyards during that time.
Ms. Spalluzzi had been invited to a Washington D.C. ceremony on April 10 to honor other women from across the country in recognition of the importance of the “Rosie the Riveter” movement, but she was unable to attend. State Representative Kathy LaNatra (D-Kingston) then arranged to have the Congressional Medal of Honor delivered to Boston; Representative LaNatra then organized the presentation that took place at the State House.
Margaret made the trip from Kingston to the State House via chartered bus, along with more than 40 of her friends. The Friends of the Kingston Council on Aging, together with the Kingston Business Association, worked to raise funds to charter the bus for round-trip transportation for the event.
Margaret, who serves on the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Kingston Council on Aging, was joined on the trip by fellow board members and numerous other friends who wanted to be on hand for the special moment.
In organizing the event, Representative LaNatra said, “We were thrilled to honor Margaret. I have known her for more than 15 years. She is a wonderful, bright, independent person who truly exemplifies the virtues of the Greatest Generation.”
She continued, “We’re all proud of her contributions to our country and our town, and I’m proud to call her my friend.”
Representative LaNatra thanked the Friends of the Council on Aging in Kingston, who worked with the Kingston Business Association to raise the necessary funds to charter the bus from Kingston into Boston for the ceremony.
Representative LaNatra presented the Medal of Honor along with Secretary of Veterans Affairs John Santiago and representatives of the U.S. Military. The group was treated to lunch at the State House following the ceremony.
Ms. Spalluzzi has been honored for her contributions several other times, which can be seen in the video links below.
Video (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Honoring Margaret Spalluzzi | Harbor Honor (youtube.com) .
Photo: Margaret Spalluzzi (center) is presented the Congressional Medal of Honor by State Representative Kathy LaNatra (D-Kingston), pictured at right. Shown at left is MA Secretary of Veterans Affairs John Santiago.