Oregon 'Rosie the Riveter' receives congressional honor for WWII service

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- A real-life "Rosie the Riveter" from Oregon was honored with a major congressional award Wednesday for her service during World War II.

Clarice Lafreniere of Independence, who is 102, received the Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal along with dozens of other women who at the time served as riveters, buckers, welders and electricians.

This is the oldest and highest civilian honor given by Congress, which has since been awarded to around 16 million women. This year, 30 "Rosies" attended the ceremony held at the U.S. Capitol.

Lafreniere moved to Oregon in 1940. She gave birth to her daughter just hours after the attack on Pearl Harbor. When the United States officially entered the war, Lafreniere joined her husband cutting and welding steel for ships at Portland's Kaiser Shipyard. She continues to remain active in the community to this day.

U.S. Representative Andrea Salinas (D-OR), who met Lafreniere and her family in her D.C. office on Friday, had nothing but praise for her after their introduction.

“It was a such a joy to meet my constituent and real life 'Rosie the Riveter,' Clarice Lafreniere, and congratulate her on receiving the Congressional Gold Medal," said Rep. Salinas. “She is a living legend who has devoted her life to giving back to our community, and I am so grateful to Clarice and her family for their service to our nation.”