As more and more men went into the service after this country’s entry into World War II, a labor shortage resulted in the factories. The American women were called upon to meet this challenge and many of them left their comfortable homes and entered the work force.

A number of them had never worked outside their home.

“Rosie the Riveter” became an iconic symbol of these working women during WWII. Posters and signs of the allegorical cultural icon, who represented the women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, began appearing everyone.

She was widely recognized in the “We Can Do It!” poster as a symbol of American feminism and women’s economic advantage.

What was it really like for these women? And what happened when the men came home?

Connecticut Museum Educator Mya Concepcion will offer a multimedia presentation to help attendees learn the answer during a program co-hosted by Newtown Historical Society and C.H. Booth Library on Sunday, November 17, at 2 pm.

Concepcion will have propaganda posters, art, music, photos, and real-life accounts of Connecticut women who worked for victory during the war.

Her presentation will be in the lower meeting room of the library, 25 Main Street. Registration is requested and available at 203-426-4533 or chboothlibrary.org.

Refreshments will be served. As always, the historical society program is free of charge, with donations for the society welcome.