A real-life Rosie the Riveter, Jennifer McMullen, turns 100

For astir Americans, Rosie nan Riveter, nan arm-flexing female mill worker successful a World War II wartime poster, is simply a awesome of American spot and resiliency during 1 of history's darkest periods.

But for Jennifer McMullen, a Los Angeles resident who this week turned 100 years old, nan feminist icon is much than a humanities artifact — it's an emblem of her life story. 

McMullen was a mill worker during WWII astatine Lockheed Aircraft, predecessor to defense and aviation elephantine Lockheed Martin, successful Burbank, California. That made her 1 of nan astir 5 cardinal women recruited by U.S. defense manufacturers to capable mill jobs amid a shortage of workers while men were going war. 

The "Rosies," arsenic nan women serving connected nan accumulation lines were called, played a pivotal domiciled successful building tanks, ships, planes and different materiel basal to nan warfare effort. Their effect connected American nine was possibly moreover larger, advancing taste acceptance of women successful nan workforce astatine a clip that females holding a occupation was associated pinch being poor, according to nan National Archives.

Among family and friends astatine her day ceremony connected October 20 astatine nan Oakmont of Whittier assisted-living installation successful Whittier, California, wherever she resides, McMullen shared her thoughts pinch CBS News Los Angeles' Chris Holmstrom.

"It feels wonderful, it feels really good. I'm happy that they're here," she said.

Seated adjacent to McMullen was her hubby of astir 80 years, a WWII seasoned who is himself conscionable a fewer months distant from turning 100. The mates stock 3 sons and 4 grandchildren.

"We've traveled each complete nan world during those years together. We've been joined astir 79 years," she said. "So it feels good, bully to person a companion."

Also successful attendance was McMullen's granddaughter, who publication from a missive sent by nan American Rosie nan Riveter Association successful grant of her grandmother's milestone.

"You were a Rosie Riveter, 1 of galore hardworking and patriotic women who came guardant during WWII to thief guarantee Allied victory," nan missive read.

As for what's next, nan sprightly centenarian, successful existent "We tin do it!" fashion, said, "Looking guardant to my 150."