Beyond the Factory: Michigan Rosie Day 2026 Unites Manufacturing, Agriculture and Aviation

Michigan’s manufacturing and agricultural legacies will unite on Friday, March 13, 2026, as the 4th Annual Michigan Rosie the Riveter Day arrives at the Capital Region International Airport. This year’s celebration marks a major expansion for the event, bridging the worlds of aerospace and industry with a first-of-its-kind tribute to Michigan’s wartime "Rosies on the Farm." The gathering honors the women who redefined the American workforce during WWII and the trailblazers leading Michigan’s industries today.

Emceed by Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame inductee Sheri Jones, the afternoon is a vibrant, multi-generational celebration featuring a breathtaking vintage aircraft flyover and a veteran pin ceremony led by Retired Col. Frank J. Walker. A robust lineup of keynote speakers will address the crowd, including Lansing Mayor Andy Schor and leaders from UAW Region 1, Jiffy Mix, and the Michigan Department of Corrections Vocational Village. The program will also feature the presentation of ten Rosie Awards, honoring outstanding women in industry from across the state, Rosie families in memoriam, and educators dedicated to empowering their students with the Rosie spirit of grit and innovation.