FOUNDING COLLABORATORS OF THE AMERICAN ROSIE MOVEMENT

After we invited Belgium and the UK to thank American Rosies, and each country did a memorable job, we, with the help of Dr. Hugo Keesing, were invited to bring Rosies to two special events by the people of the Netherlands. The first was an exceptional event at their Embassy in Washington, on May 2, 2015. The second was to honor three Rosies at the National Liberation Museum, 1044-45 in Nijmegen. Those Rosies who attended either event were changed by these experiences – the hard work they did for freedom was recognized by people they never expected to know. 

Upon returning from the Netherlands, we opened our emails to find an invitation to bring four Rosies to meet the royal couple of the Netherlands, on June 2, 2020 at Arlington Cemetery. At the tomb of the unknown soldier, Rosies were present to see the laying of a wreath. That moment was even more meaningful because the Rosies realized that they, too, had been largely unknown until recently. 

Then in a private meeting, Rosies and World War II veterans met King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, who were clearly touched.  When Queen Maxima came to Anne, our “fearless leader”, Anne started to define the goal of the Rosie Movement, and Queen Maxima said with great compassion, “But Anne, there is so little time!” Anne cried.  Two women who feel their responsibility expressed their common concern for caring. 

The Embassy then invited American Rosie Movement to the premier of a film made by Maarten Vossen, about his struggle to find an American paratrooper who died near Nijmegen.  Anna Hess was the guest Rosie. 

In 2017, The National Liberation Museum invited three Rosies to Nijmegen. The way the Dutch people and Rosies connected was profound for history, though it has not been made as well-known as it will be. 

Now, in 2020, the Netherlands Embassy is planning an event to celebrate Ring a Bell for Rosies and the placing of a plaque at the dogwood tree they planted on the grounds of their Embassy in 2015. This event will be announced on Labor Day. 

People may question why American Rosie Movement chose a foreign nation to be named as a founding collaborator of the American Rosie Movement. Our answer is that the Rosie Legacy is about doing quality work in a cooperative spirit, so that freedom lives on. This is important far beyond socio-political boundaries.  For the Rosie Legacy to become part of America’s self- and world-identity, we welcome other nations to help, and we are proud that many nations will Ring a Bell for Rosies in early September (Labor Day in the U.S) this year. 

We are searching for established writers to help us make known the Netherland’s participation and to help with the launching of the American Rosie Movement.

Website: https://nlintheusa.com/

In 2015, we first met this non-denominational organization in Philadelphia to discuss creating a small garden at their site that is in the Philadelphia Ship Yards. 

Soon after, they held an event where Rosies were honored and one of our allies, Cass Forkin, was given an award for her work with Rosies. 

In 2019, Bill Kaemmer, Director, attended the event at the US Capitol grounds where selected persons learned more about the Rosie Legacy. This event helped us prepare for the 2019 Ring A Bell for Rosies and the American Rosie Movement. 

In the spring of 2020, they honored Rosie June Robbins who worked in the Philadelphia Ship Yards drafting ship parts. June, who is a professional entertainer at 94 years old, sealed their commitment to the Rosie Movement. 

The Chapel of the Four Chaplains is inclusive and they focus on pulling together.  Today, Bill and others are using their world-wide contacts to help with the Ring a Bell for Rosies event to show unity across different kinds of people. 

Website: http://fourchaplains.org/