Kyle Troutman

During a Friday reception by the Silver Leaf Benefit Club, local “Rosie the Riveter,” Hilda Howell, right, shared stories of working after school in a Firestone facility in southern California, where she helped manufacture fuel cells for bombers during World War II. Howell was one of 27 women (aged 96-107) who traveled to Washington, D.C. in April, to accept a Congressional Gold Medal on behalf of “Rosie the Riveter.” The collective name “Rosie the Riveter” was given to the millions of women who filled industrial manufacturing positions during WWII to keep aviation, munition and other supply chains running. Ms. Howell traveled to Washington, D.C. with her daughter, Gwen Kelly, left. She was the only Rosie from Missouri who was able to attend