Naomi Parker Fraley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Naomi Parker Rogers
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Naomi Parker Fraley in 2017
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| Born |
Naomi Fern Parker
August 26, 1921 Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.
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| Died | January 20, 2018 (aged 96) Longview, Washington, U.S.
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| Occupation | War worker, waitress |
| Known for | "Rosie the Riveter" in We Can Do It! |
| Spouse(s) | Joseph Blankenship (divorced) John Muhlig (died 1971) Charles Fraley
(m. 1979; died 1998) |
Naomi Fern Parker Fraley (born August 26, 1921 – died January 20, 2018) was an American woman who worked during World War II. She is widely believed to be the real person who inspired the famous "We Can Do It!" poster. This poster features a strong woman flexing her arm, encouraging others. During the war, Naomi worked in a factory assembling parts for airplanes.
For a long time, another woman, Geraldine Hoff Doyle, was thought to be the model for the poster. However, a popular photograph of Naomi Parker working on a machine tool is now believed to be the true inspiration. After the war, Naomi worked as a waitress. She passed away in 2018 at the age of 96.
Contents
Early Life: Naomi's Childhood
Naomi Fern Parker was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1921. She was the third of eight children. Her father was a mining engineer, and her mother managed their home. Her family moved often across the United States. They were living in Alameda, California, when the attack on Pearl Harbor happened. This event led the U.S. into World War II.
Naomi and her younger sister, Ada, then started working at the Naval Air Station in Alameda. They were assigned to a machine shop. Their job was to help assemble parts for aircraft. This was a common way for women to support the war effort.
The "We Can Do It!" Poster Story
How the Poster Came to Be
In 1942, a photo of Naomi Parker appeared in local newspapers. The picture showed her working on a machine called a shaper at Pratt & Whitney. The next year, in 1943, the "We Can Do It!" poster was created by J. Howard Miller. This poster was part of a series used in factories. Its goal was to boost the spirits of workers at places like Westinghouse. Many believe Naomi's newspaper photo was the inspiration for this iconic image.
Correcting the Historical Record
In 2011, Naomi Parker attended a special reunion event. There, she saw her 1942 photograph. She was surprised because the caption said the model was Geraldine Hoff Doyle. Naomi wrote to the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park to correct this mistake. However, her attempts to set the record straight were not successful at first.
Professor James J. Kimble from Seton Hall University became interested in the poster. He saw it as an important symbol for women's rights. He searched for the original photo and found it was credited to Naomi Parker in 1942. In 2015, he found Naomi and showed her the photo. She still had the original newspaper clipping from 1942. Professor Kimble was convinced that Naomi was the woman in the photo. He believed she was the strongest candidate for inspiring the famous poster.
Naomi's Life After the War
After World War II ended, Naomi worked as a waitress. She worked at a restaurant called The Doll House in Palm Springs, California. She was married three times during her life. Her last husband was Charles Fraley, whom she married in 1979. He passed away in 1998. In 2017, Naomi moved to an assisted care home in Longview, Washington.
Her Final Years
Naomi Parker Fraley passed away on January 20, 2018. She was 96 years old. Her life story was shared on a BBC Radio 4 program called Last Word the following month.
See also
In Spanish: Naomi Parker para niños
- American women in World War II
- Pasha Angelina
- Veronica Foster
