Tucked into the scenic Ohio River waterfront of Clarksville, Indiana, this cheerful tribute to one of America’s most enduring cultural icons invites visitors to become part of the story. The vibrant, full-color statue depicts Rosie the Riveter — arm flexed, bandana tied, and ever-ready with a confident “We Can Do It!” — framed perfectly for selfies with the Louisville skyline glinting across the river.
But this Rosie is more than a replica of a World War II poster. She honors Rose Will Monroe, a real riveter whose life embodied the grit, independence, and can-do spirit that made Rosie a symbol of wartime America. A young widow with two children, Monroe left rural Kentucky to work on B-24 bombers in Michigan. There, she was filmed promoting war bonds and became one of the figures associated with the Rosie legend. After the war she made Clarksville her home — founding a construction company, earning a pilot’s license, and raising her family with the same determination she showed in the factory.
Unveiled in September 2022 after overwhelming community support and a successful crowdfunding campaign, the statue is both a selfie magnet and a quiet reminder of women’s contributions to the home front during World War II. It stands along the Ohio River Greenway at Ashland Park, where picnickers, cyclists, and history buffs alike pause to reflect on the everyday heroes who helped shape modern America.
