<P> Rosie the Riveter became most closely associated with another real woman , Rose Will Monroe , who was born in Pulaski County , Kentucky in 1920 and moved to Michigan during World War II . She worked as a riveter at the Willow Run Aircraft Factory in Ypsilanti , Michigan , building B - 24 bombers for the U.S. Army Air Forces . Monroe was asked to star in a promotional film about the war effort at home . The song `` Rosie the Riveter '' was popular at the time , and Monroe happened to best fit the description of the worker depicted in the song . `` Rosie '' went on to become perhaps the most widely recognized icon of that era . The films and posters she appeared in were used to encourage women to go to work in support of the war effort . At the age of 50 , Monroe realized her dream of flying when she obtained a pilot 's license . In 1978 , she crashed in her small propeller plane when the engine failed during takeoff . The accident resulted in the loss of one kidney and the sight in her left eye , and ended her flying career . She died from kidney failure on May 31 , 1997 , in Clarksville , Indiana where she was a resident , at the age of 77 . </P>
who was the most well known real life rosie the riveter what was her job during wwii
Rose Will Monroe riveter at the Willow Run Aircraft Factory in Ypsilanti , Michigan , building B - 24 bombers