A New Look for Rosie the Riveter

Seeking a way to express thanks to clinicians on the front lines of COVID-19, artist Tammy A. Murray turned to a familiar American icon: Rosie the Riveter.

“I have many friends in health care throughout the Northeast, and the stories they tell are harrowing. I chose to update Rosie’s look with a mask and gloves because clinicians are the heroes now,” says Murray, who is based in Ramsey, New Jersey. She has created versions for both Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital.

Her partner's father Ken MacWilliams, a longtime volunteer member of the Partners Human Research Committees, sent the piece to Elizabeth Hohmann, MD, physician director of the committees. “I thought it might resonate with our workforce,” says Hohmann. “It has a great vibe.”