I am riding with a friend to a Humane Society board meeting this evening. I don’t tend to leave the house much in the evenings; I prefer daytime stuff, and tucking up in the evening. But, I do want to get back into helping the shelter, and they need board members, so I’m going. It is causing me anxiety; I think I’d rather drive myself, but it’ll be fine. So Chuck Drew A Thing, and here it is below:
https://www.gocomics.com/chuckdrawsthings/2026/04/17
And here’s a local news story that is pertinent to Playtime’s interests, I think.
Wichita’s “Rosie the Riveter,” B-29 DOC volunteer Connie Palacioz dies at 101
WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Connie Palacioz, a World War II-era “Rosie the Riveter” who helped build B-29 Superfortress bombers in Wichita and later spent decades volunteering with the restored B-29 DOC aircraft, has died. She was 101.
During World War II, more than six million women entered the workforce in a variety of roles, including factory work that was crucial to the war effort.
Palacioz went to work at The Boeing Co. in Wichita at age 17 and served as a riveter on the B-29 production line from 1943 to 1945. The Wichita factory built 1,644 B-29 Superfortress bombers during the war.
In 2000, when B-29 DOC returned to Wichita for restoration, Palacioz was 75 years old. She joined the team working to return the aircraft to flight, according to a statement from Doc’s Friends, Inc., the non-profit she volunteered at.
“She was the first one up when she was on tour with us, and the last one to leave the airplane. She was so proud of what she and her volunteers and what she and her team had built,” said B-29 DOC Executive Director Josh Wells.
Palacioz remained an active member of the organization for 26 years. She served as an advocate for the nonprofit’s mission while sharing her own story and those of other women who worked in wartime production.
“Connie’s life journey was inspiring, and it’s been our great honor to have shared her legacy and life story through B-29 DOC,” Wells said in a statement. “Not only was Connie a Wichita and Kansas legend, but her story and work during World War II on the B-29 Superfortress production line also made her a national hero.”
Wells also shared the impact Palacioz had on his life.
“She was an inspiration to me. She was an inspiration to many people, and I think she’s a trailblazer,” Wells said.
Not only was Palacioz a trailblazer for women, she was also a supporter of civil rights, as she worked with a minority coworker when no one else would.
“Jerry was African-American, and Mom said, ‘that’s fine with me, I’m a minority, I’m Mexican, I’ll work with her.’ Then they wanted to separate them, and they didn’t separate,” said Tish Nielsen, Palacioz’s daughter.
Palacioz often reflected on her role in the wartime effort while speaking with visitors to the aircraft.
“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.”
“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.”
For many years, Palacioz’s story was unknown, even to her daughter, which Nielsen pointed to as a sign of her humility.
“When you would ask her, ‘why didn’t you tell us you were Rosie the Riveter?’ She said, ‘Well, I was just doing my job.’ And that’s the way she was,” Nielsen said.
Wells said it’s important to keep stories like Palacioz’s alive.
“It’s very important that we carry on their stories and honor people like Connie, to make sure that the next generation knows about them,” Wells said.
Nielsen said the thing she’ll remember most about her mother is her faith and her hard work throughout life.
“I would say she was a very faithful, faith-filled woman, who was very determined, and enjoyed life,” Nielsen said.
Funeral services are pending. A public celebration of life will be planned, according to the statement.
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