An original ‘Rosie the Riveter’ shares her experience during World War II at the Beau Rivage

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) — Delphine Klaput who worked in an aircraft factory during World War II spoke Wednesday at the Beau Rivage, sharing her experience as one of the original “Rosies.”

Klaput was 19 when she left Pennsylvania in 1943 to work at the Glen L. Martin Aircraft Factory in Baltimore. She earned 82 cents an hour and sent all but $10 of each paycheck back to her family. Her husband served overseas during the war.

‘I really must have done something’

Klaput was among the women who performed jobs typically done by men during World War II, allowing those men to serve in the military — a workforce movement that became known as “Rosie the Riveter.” She said she was not immediately aware she held that distinction.

“And then when I found out I was one, I started really looking into it. And I thought, oh boy, I really must have done something,” Klaput said.

She turns 102 this November. Among her clearest memories is the day the war ended.

“The next thing I know, my husband’s come running down the street because he was on the way home. And he says, honey, you know, the war is over. And I say, happy day. When can we go home?” Klaput said.

Event draws community members

Klaput spoke before the Professional Women’s Employee Network Group and the Veterans Employee Network Group at the Beau Rivage on Wednesday. Attendees Delores Tate and Suzan Bramlett came to hear her account, both wearing “Rosie the Riveter” head scarves.

“To me, I think that we need to have more patriotism in our country today. We need to bond together more and not pull apart with all these issues. We need to be one in America again,” Tate said.

“It shows the dedication of the women, of the people of that era. That they stepped up when they knew they were truly needed. The Rosie that we got to see totally quit work, changed her life, and went to work for her country. So it just shows how people stood up when they were needed,” Bramlett said.

Congressional Gold Medal

In 2024, the U.S. Congress awarded Klaput the Congressional Gold Medal along with 27 other original “Rosies.” Klaput has said she views her role not as a workforce milestone, but as service to her country.

After the war, Klaput and her husband raised five children. In her 70s, she returned to work and was an employee at Costco for 16 years.

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