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Local News KINGSTON’S MARGARET SPALLUZZI, 102, WORKED AS A WELDER AT THE HINGHAM SHIPYARD DURING WORLD WAR II. A Kingston centenarian recently received the Congressional Gold Medal at the
Massachusetts State House for her inspiring role as a trailblazer for women. Margaret Spalluzzi, 102, is believed to be one of the last surviving “Rosie the Riveter” in Massachusetts — or
more specifically, “Wendy the Welder — having worked as a welder at the Hingham Shipyard during World War II, from 1942 to 1945. “I wanted to be a welder I don’t know why. I just thought,
‘Oh I want to do that.’ I wanted to help my country, for one thing… and I thought I would like the experience,” Spalluzzi said in an interview with the National Parks Service.
Advertisement: Spalluzzi said she was grateful to lend a hand while her husband Tony worked at the Charlestown Navy Yard and during his deployment overseas. “I just liked going in. I knew I
was doing something to help my country,” she said. “If it wasn’t for that, what would I have done for my country? That gave me a chance.” Spalluzzi said she doesn’t remember her pay rate,
but that one check was for $200. “But I can’t tell you how many hours I worked for that check,” she said, adding, “But with my first check, I bought my mother a radio.” Advertisement: On
Thursday, State Representative Kathy LaNatra presented her with the prestigious medal at a Beacon Hill ceremony attended by state and military leaders. On the platform X, State
Representative Dylan Fernandes posted a photo of Spalluzzi with a celebratory cake featuring the iconic “We Can Do It!” phrase and an image of Rosie the Riveter. “At the State House
[Thursday], Margaret Spalluzzi — a #Kingston resident and the last living Rosie the Riveter from MA — was honored with a Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony. We owe her a huge debt of
gratitude,” Fernandes wrote on X. According to WHDH, Spalluzzi was invited to a ceremony at the White House in April, but could not attend. According to the Rosie the Riveter Trust,
Spalluzzi is not the last living Rosie the Riveter in Massachusetts. _Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct that Spalluzzi won the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest
civilian honor. She is also not the last living Rosie the Riveter in Massachusetts._ MORGAN ROUSSEAU Morgan Rousseau is a freelance writer for Boston.com, where she reports on a variety of
local and regional news. NEWSLETTER SIGNUP Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com