Angela Bartley
Angela Bartley has performed hundreds of times for civic organizations, educational institutions, libraries and special events. She was a Chatuaquan for the Kentucky Humanities Council for 3 years, and the character set yearly records for the highest number of performances. Angela enjoys performing historical character portrayals, because it enables her to share firsthand the stories of such historically significant ladies!
Rosie the Riveter is a well known icon of the World War II era, the home-front equivalent of G.I. Joe. But few people are aware that the real “Rosie” was Pulaski County, Kentucky native Rose Will Monroe. Rose Will Monroe’s story is brought to life by a one-woman show starring actress Angela Bartley.
Rose Monroe’s dream during World War II was to fly as a Women’s Air Service Pilot, but the WASPs wouldn’t allow widows with children. With the promise of the highest wages anywhere, Rose daringly moved with her children to Michigan to work on bombers as a riveter in the Willow Run Aircraft Factory. There, Hollywood discovered Rose Monroe on an aircraft production line. After appearing in a war bond film, she then became the real life “Rosie the Riveter.” Like the poster-girl Rosie, Rose Monroe was both capable and attractive; she captured the “we-can-do-it” spirit of the mythical Rosie.