Wichita’s ‘Rosie the Riveter’, reflects on WWII service

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) - During Women’s History Month, we recognize a Wichita woman who made history by helping build infrastructure during WWII.

Turning 100 years old is not the only milestone for Connie Palacioz, Wichita’s own “Rosie the Riveter.” Volunteering at the B-29 Doc hangar is where she keeps history alive.

“When visitors come and they ask us, and then I tell them that I worked there and that I did this, and everything is still in order,” Palacioz said. “You know, I always tell them there were seven rivets missing when it was in the desert.”

During WWII, women entered the workforce and many were recruited to assemble airplanes for the war. Palacioz was one of them opening a path in the workforce especially for hispanic women and women of color.

She joined Boeing in Wichita at 17 years old and became a riveter working on the B-29 Bomber.

“I wish all the others that worked with me could be here, but of course, they are gone,” she said. “But, I don’t know, it’s been great. It just is something that I can’t tell you exactly how, but I feel wonderful to be here.”

Today, Connie still volunteers at the B-29 Hangar and Visitor Center, where visitors look for her to learn how she helped open doors for women in aviation.

“It does feel like an honor but also a responsibility to do a really good job when you are the first woman doing anything,” said Judy Nadler, a visitor who also happened to be the first woman mayor of Santa Clara, Calif. “And to me, Connie is just such a thrill because she was the first of the first to do a man’s job and to do it well.”

For Palacioz’s daughter, Leticia Nielsen Palacioz, seeing the admiration people have for her mother is heartwarming.

“She has taught us a lot about being a dedicated, devoted, and committed worker,” Nielsen Palacioz said. “Her role was just as important. Sometimes she will say, ‘I wasn’t a veteran like they were,’ but she did her work for the service and for our country.”

Palacioz hopes to continue inspiring women and encourages them to persevere.

“Keep on going,” Palacioz said. “Never give up and give a good example to everybody.”

The B-29 bomber that Palacioz helped restore was found in China Lake, Calif. and brought back to Wichita in 1987. Once the plane was restored, Palacioz saw it return to the sky.