LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Women business owners in Lansing’s REO Town area came together Saturday to celebrate their community and Rosie the Riveter Day.
Eleanor Richards, co-owner of Wayfaring Booksellers, said the Rosie the Riveter event is “a great way to celebrate women’s enterprise in REO Town.”
Along South Washington Avenue is REA Town, an area that is home to several women-owned businesses. For the second year in a row, these women organized a celebration of their community just before Rosie the Riveter’s Day, which is celebrated on March 21.
“There are so many wonderful and creative women-owned businesses in REO Town. I really wanted to celebrate everyone together. It’s Women’s History Month, it’s perfect timing,” said Jen Carpenter, owner of Deadtime Stories Bookstore and Screamatorium Gift Shop.
Carpenter helped organize the event and said the group decided to hold the event around Rosie the Riveter Day because of Rose Will Monroe, a woman who helped build B-24 bombers for World War II at a plant in Michigan.
Monroe is one of the many sources of inspiration for Rosie the Riveter, a character who became a feminist icon.
“We thought it would be fun to tie it together and get everyone involved in that way,” Carpenter said.
During Saturday’s event, each store offered gifts and discounts to its customers.
“It really feels like we’re the hub of the women’s community and we all come together and support each other as much as we can,” Richards said.
“Women-owned businesses face different challenges and we all understand each other, support and encourage each other. It’s really awesome,” Carpenter said.