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Woman believed to be one of the last living ‘Rosie the Riveter’ in Mass., honored at State House

Kingston’s Margaret Spalluzzi, 102, worked as a welder at the Hingham Shipyard during World War II.

Margaret Spalluzzi celebrated her 100th birthday in style with a ceremony at the Hingham Shipyard recognizing her service to the country during World War II as a welder building warships. (Joshua Ross)

By Morgan Rousseau

May 4, 2024

A Kingston centenarian recently received the Congressional Gold Medal at the Massachusetts State House for her inspiring role as a trailblazer for women.

Margaret Spalluzzi, 102, is believed to be one of the last surviving “Rosie the Riveter” in Massachusetts — or more specifically, “Wendy the Welder — having worked as a welder at the Hingham Shipyard during World War II, from 1942 to 1945.

Margaret Spalluzzi (far left, flashing a V for victory) worked as a welder at the Hingham Shipyard during World War II, and on her 100th birthday, her service as a “Rosie the Riveter” was recognized in a ceremony at the shipyard. (Margaret Spalluzzi)

“I wanted to be a welder I don’t know why. I just thought, ‘Oh I want to do that.’ I wanted to help my country, for one thing… and I thought I would like the experience,” Spalluzzi said in an interview with the National Parks Service.

Spalluzzi said she was grateful to lend a hand while her husband Tony worked at the Charlestown Navy Yard and during his deployment overseas.

“I just liked going in. I knew I was doing something to help my country,” she said. “If it wasn’t for that, what would I have done for my country? That gave me a chance.”

Spalluzzi said she doesn’t remember her pay rate, but that one check was for $200. “But I can’t tell you how many hours I worked for that check,” she said, adding, “But with my first check, I bought my mother a radio.”

On Thursday, State Representative Kathy LaNatra presented her with the prestigious medal at a Beacon Hill ceremony attended by state and military leaders.

At the State House today, Margaret Spalluzzi – a #Kingston resident and the last living Rosie the Riveter from MA – was honored with a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony. We owe her a huge debt of gratitude!

Shout out to @kathylanatra for putting together this special event. pic.twitter.com/5YsVvVxpW1
— Dylan Fernandes (@RepDylan) May 2, 2024

On the platform X, State Representative Dylan Fernandes posted a photo of Spalluzzi with a celebratory cake featuring the iconic “We Can Do It!” phrase and an image of Rosie the Riveter.

“At the State House [Thursday], Margaret Spalluzzi — a #Kingston resident and the last living Rosie the Riveter from MA — was honored with a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony. We owe her a huge debt of gratitude,” Fernandes wrote on X.

According to WHDH, Spalluzzi was invited to a ceremony at the White House in April, but could not attend.

According to the Rosie the Riveter Trust, Spalluzzi is not the last living Rosie the Riveter in Massachusetts.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct that Spalluzzi won the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor. She is also not the last living Rosie the Riveter in Massachusetts.