While 18-year-old boys were fighting in World War ll to save the world from Nazis, teenage girls fulfilled their patriotic duty by working in factories buildings planes and war supplies. Represented by the fictional character, Rosie the Riviter, these women ushered in tremendous social change making it socially acceptable and even desirable for women to work outside the home. It’s taken decades, but women are finally being recognized for the many important roles they played in World War II.