More than 50 mostly women volunteers have answered the call to repair and renovate the SS Red Oak Victory, the last known surviving ship built in Richmond's Kaiser Shipyard during the second World War. The project, Victory Ship Revival, combines historic preservation with honoring Rosies, women who filled jobs traditionally held by men during the war. Rennae Ross, a welder, business agent and U.S. Marine veteran, initiated the effort after noticing rust and needed weld repairs during a tour. Partner organizations include the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, the Rosie the Riveter Trust, the Richmond Museum Association and Boilermakers Local 549. The effort restores the ship and highlights intergenerational ties to shipyard labor through participants with family histories at the Kaiser Shipyard.
"I'm beyond humbled to be here," said Salena Durrell, a first-year apprentice with local trades union Boilermakers Local 549.
"It's a very exciting project because it's women working on a ship built by women," Pritchard said. "We're making history."
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