Rosalind P. Walter facts for kids

Rosalind P. Walter (born Palmer; June 25, 1924 – March 4, 2020) was an American who loved helping others. She was known for supporting public television programs across the United States. Rosalind also worked to improve education for young people and protect wildlife.

During World War II, she helped inspire the famous song "Rosie the Riveter". This song was about women who worked in factories during the war. It was written by Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb. The song became very popular thanks to Kay Kyser and The Four Vagabonds.

People at WNET, a public TV station in New York, called her "Roz." They said she cared deeply about good quality and educational TV. She wanted as many people as possible to watch these shows.

Early Life and Family

Rosalind Palmer was born on June 25, 1924. Her birthplace was Brooklyn, New York. Her mother, Winthrop (Bushnell) Palmer, was a professor at Long Island University. Her father, Carleton Humphreys Palmer, led a big medicine company called E. R. Squibb and Sons.

Rosalind grew up in New York City. She went to the Ethel Walker School in Connecticut. In 1940, she lived in Manhattan with her parents and older siblings. Later, in the 1950s, her family moved to Centre Island, New York.

Rosalind and World War II

After finishing high school, Rosalind Palmer joined many young women. They took jobs in factories to help with World War II. The strong image of Rosie the Riveter was created to inspire patriotic behavior. Some believe the idea for "Rosie" came from Rosalind P. Walter. She worked in an aircraft factory in New York.

Rosalind worked the night shift. She was a riveter, putting together parts for Corsair fighter planes. She even set records for how fast she worked. She also spoke up for equal pay for women workers.

In 1942, her work inspired Redd Evans and John Jacob Loeb. They wrote the song "Rosie the Riveter." Kay Kyser and The Four Vagabonds then recorded it.

In 1943, a newspaper described Rosalind Palmer. It called her "Rosie the Riveter." She was 19 and worked hard on the night shift. She worked at the Sikorsky aircraft plant in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Rosalind said she would keep working until the war ended.

Helping Others After the War

After the war, Rosalind Palmer married Henry S. Thompson. He was a lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserve. They married in New York on June 22, 1946. They had a son named Henry. The couple divorced in 1954.

In 1956, Rosalind married Henry Glendon Walter, Jr.. He was a friend of her family. Henry Walter later became the president of a company called International Flavors and Fragrances.

Rosalind and Henry Walter worked together to help many causes. They were trustees for the American Museum of Natural History. They also helped Long Island University. The university gave Rosalind an honorary degree in 1983.

In 1951, Rosalind started the Walter Foundation. Today, it is called The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation. This foundation helps many different groups.

Supporting Public Television

Rosalind Walter was most famous for supporting public television. She helped fund many PBS shows. These included Great Performances and documentaries like Shakespeare Uncovered. She also supported Ken Burns' The Roosevelts: An Intimate History and the Emmy Award-winning American Masters series.

In 1989, WNET, a public TV station, asked Rosalind to join its board. She had given a lot of money to the station. By 2008, she had donated at least $5,000,000 to WNET.

She also helped PBS NewsHour. She supported the Paley Center for Media. Rosalind also created a journalism scholarship at Long Island University.

Rosalind's mother died in 1988. Her husband, Henry Glendon Walter, Jr., passed away in 2000. A home she once owned in Centre Island, New York was later bought by the singer Billy Joel.

Helping Sports and Education

Rosalind P. Walter was a big supporter of the Grenville Baker Boys & Girls Club. She was even added to their Hall of Fame in 2016.

She was also a Life Trustee of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) asked her to join the board of its USTA Serves program. She provided money for the first college scholarships given by this program.

In 2011, the program named a scholarship after her. It gives money to one male and one female student each year. These students must have good grades and character. They should also believe in doing their best and helping their community. Each student can get up to $10,000 for college.

Protecting Wildlife and Land

Rosalind was also on the board of the North Shore Wildlife Sanctuary. In 2014, she helped the North Shore Land Alliance. They bought a 28-acre property in Mill Neck, New York. This helped protect meadows, woodlands, and other natural areas.

In 2016, the North Shore Land Alliance thanked "Mrs. Henry G. Walter Jr./The Rosalind P. Walter Foundation." They noted her donations helped their efforts to protect land.

Death

Rosalind P. Walter passed away at her home in Manhattan on March 4, 2020.

See also

• Philanthropy in the United States