If I were to mention the name Geraldine Doyle to you, odds are you’d not recognize it. If you were to guess who she was, would you answer actress? World leader? Or would you give up? If I would ask you, instead, to tell me about Rosie the Riveter, I’m sure that you would think of the work by Norman Rockwell and J. Howard Miller. The face that was the inspiration for Miller’s iconic “We Can Do It!” poster has died. Geraldine Doyle, 86, died in Michigan on Sunday. The “We Can Do It!” image became culturally famous in the 1980’s, when the image and message of a strong, capable woman became a talisman for the feminist movement.
Geraldine Doyle, you did it. And you encouraged millions more to as well. Rest in Peace.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204204004576050131562780892.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_6
http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/12/30/we-can-do-it-geraldine-doyle-wwii-poster-inspiration-dies/