Congresswoman Salinas Meets 102-Year-Old “Rosie the Riveter” Clarice Lafreniere
Independence resident awarded Congressional Gold Medal for her service during World War II
Washington, DC – On Friday, April 12, U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas (OR-06) met with Independence resident and real-life “Rosie the Riveter” Clarice Lafreniere and her family in her Washington, D.C. office. Lafreniere was recently awarded the Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal along with dozens of other women who served as riveters, buckers, welders and electricians during World War II.
“It was such a joy to meet my constituent and real life “Rosie the Riveter,” Clarice Lafreniere, and congratulate her on receiving the Congressional Gold Medal—the highest and oldest civilian award bestowed by Congress,” said Rep. Salinas. “After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Clarice and her husband went to work at the Kaiser Shipyard and helped cut and weld steel for ships. She is a living legend who has devoted her life to giving back to our community, and I am so grateful to Clarice and her family for their service to our nation.”
Clarice Lafreniere is a resident of Independence, Oregon. She is 102 years old and attributes her longevity to never drinking or smoking, but she is still quite the omnivore and enjoys a balanced diet. Clarice moved to Oregon in 1940, and she gave birth to her daughter just hours after the Pearl Harbor attack. When the United States entered World War II, Clarice joined her husband cutting and welding steel for ships at the Kaiser Shipyard in Portland. After retirement, Clarice enjoyed traveling with her second husband, Tony, and she remains active in the community.
Signed into law in 2020, the Rosie the Riveter Congresssional Gold Medal Act collectively awards the Congressional Gold Medal – the oldest and highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress – to about 16 million women who worked to build vehicles, weaponry and ammunition during World War II. About 30 “Rosies” traveled across the country to attend the award ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday.
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