 Proud American, I'm Tanya J. Powers. Eight decades after their service during World War II, the women known as Rosie the Riveters have been given the nation's highest civilian honor. Rosie's, a nickname for the women who went to work in factories and shipyards when the men went off to war, were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in April. Ninety-eight-year-old Mae Cryer accepted the honor on behalf of the other Rosies.