Rosie the Riveter Edie Fishman Celebrates 100th birthday

The 100^th birthday of Edie Fishman brought a wide array of people from across the state together in solidarity, as she has done all her life. Among them were activists taking a pause from canvassing to make Yale Respect New Haven.

The diverse crowd gathered at a festive tent in New Haven's Wooster Square Park enjoying the chance to be together for the first time since COVID-19, and a sing-a-long of movement songs..

They were inspired by Edie's life story of working class activism that started when she joined the YCL at age 14 during the Great Depression, and has continued throughout her life in union, civil rights and peace movements and in the Communist Party.

During World War II while men factory workers went abroad to fight fascism, Edie was one of the Rosie the Riveters who worked in the ship yard in Camden New Jersey.

A dramatic Rosie the Riveter cake crafted by Working Family Party's Lindsay Farrell was a centerpiece. Photos will be added to Edie's story at the National Park Rosie the Riveter museum in California.

Alders Ellen Cupo and Evette Hamilton said they were honored to help daughter Joelle and son-in-law Art Perlo make the arrangements for the event held in the park where Edie and husband George often walked before his death in 2009.

Bette Marafino, president of CT ARA presented the 2021 “Retiree Fighter Award.” saying Edie “inspires us all to keep fighting the good fight.”

A certificate of commendation from Unite Here Local 34 presented by Secretary – Treasurer Ken Suzuki said Edie's “leadership and lifelong dedication to the fight for democracy for all people and to advance the rights and conditions of working people at Yale and across our region is a beacon to us all.”

New Haven's mayor and city town clerk also brought citations of congratulations.

Participants were asked to join Edie in signing the Summer of Struggle pledge “to organize for a just recovery for all and demand passage of voting rights, union rights, and priorities that put people, peace and planet before profits. Together we can end generations of racial and economic inequity exposed by the COVID 19 pandemic.” To participate e-mail ct-cpusa@pobox.com.