The Riveters help break world record
Donning their recognizable blue jeans, navy work shirts and red polka-dot bandanas, Mercy High School’s robotics team, The Riveters, joined thousands of women from across the world in an attempt to break the world record for number of Rosie’s in one place on Oct. 14. The world record, which was previously held in California, was momentous in Michigan’s history. The ‘original’ Rosie the Riveters started working in Willow Run bomber plant in Ypsilanti, Michigan.
“Today, a diverse group of women, from 6 weeks to 110 years old, traveled from Michigan and all over the world to help preserve our state’s history and bring the Rosie record home,” U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell said. “These trailblazing women continue to inspire and empower us all, and reclaiming the world record is a perfect tribute to their enduring legacy and ‘we can do it’ spirit. Today we are all prouder than ever of the amazing story we represent.”
Not only did the Riveters attend this event, they presented their 2015-2016 robot, named ‘Polka-Bot’, to the world record participants.
“There was a moment where we had about eight little girls crowded around Polka-Bot and they were just so excited about whatever [the students were] explaining to them,” Business and Development team mentor Natalie Ryan-Gluth said. “For me as a mentor, it’s always a proud moment for me when I see our students sharing their excitement for Robotics with others.”
This world record attempt broke not only one world record, but two. The world record for most original Rosie the Riveters was also broken, with 52 original Rosies in attendance.
“It was at once humbling and inspiring to see these woman, knowing what they did for our country,” Mrs. Ryan-Gluth said. “I will never forget how much pride and love we all felt for them.”
