Dearborn Rosie the Riveter to be honored on her 103rd birthday

Jenna Prestininzi

Community members will mark a World War II-era Rosie the Riveter’s 103rd birthday in Dearborn this week.

The event will feature an outdoor wave ‘n’ walk-by celebration, with family and friends stopping by the Dearborn home of Helen Bandyke. Bandyke worked at the Chrysler DeSoto Plant in Dearborn in 1942 while her husband was at war. Her experience contributed to the nation’s World War II war effort and gained her lifelong friends. The Chrysler DeSoto Plant opened in 1920 and closed in 1961, with Chrysler manufacturing military aircraft at the plant during the war.

Bandyke, incidentally, is the aunt of rocker and Detroit native Jack White.

A representative of the American Rosie the Riveter Association Michigan Willow Run Chapter will attend the celebration and a special Rosie Drill Team cheer will be performed to honor Bandyke.

The Rosies are women who worked in factories to support the American military during World War II. The name comes from the main character of a song and movie of the time.

The event will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at Bandyke’s home in Dearborn.

Bandyke