Rosies of the North

Our goal is to bring to life the stories and experiences of the extraordinary women who built Hawker Hurricanes and Curtiss Helldivers at the Canadian Car and Foundry factory in Fort William, ON, during the Second World War.

"The story of the Rosies of the North is an important one to our community and to the country. The archival traces on this website are precious as they remind us that ordinary women lived extraordinary lives.”

- Steven High, Concordia University

Quotes from the Rosies

Alvena

“When I worked ‘till 3 o’clock in the morning that was a long day. Then you had to go home and get ready for the next day. It’s a tiresome job but I had to do it if I wanted to work. And I did it.”

Who were the Rosies?

From 1937 to 1942, Fort William’s Canada Car went from an all male work force to a 50% female workforce. The city, now known as Thunder Bay, saw the influx of thousands of young, single women. They were willing to don trousers, tie their hair in a kerchief and take up the welding torch, the rivet gun, and a lunch bucket to participate in the war effort to build Hawker Hurricanes and Curtiss Helldivers for the Allied Forces.

Can-Car and the War

Canada and its Allies needed the Can-Car factories to assist with airplane production to help defeat the Axis Powers. From the production of the Curtiss HellDiver planes to the CCF Maple Leaf Trainer II, employees worked tirelessly to support Canada and the Allied Forces during the war.

Know of a Rosie?

Why not share their story!

Thank you:

Lakehead University – Department of History

Thunder Bay Community Foundation

Friends of the Finnish Labour Temple

Northwestern Ontario Aviation Heritage Center