During World War II the fame of Rosie the Riveter spread far and wide. Everyone who was involved in the war effort in even the smallest way was familiar with her and the legion of female workers that she represented. But almost no one ever heard of Matilda the Mechanic. Although she never had any formal training in auto repair, she was a natural at keeping the General’s 1940 Chevrolet running at its best. She could pop the hood and diagnose the problem as well as or even better than most of the guys who did this sort of thing. Whether it was changing the spark plugs or the oil, she was as quick as she was talented. A little axle grease mixed in with her mascara didn’t bother her one bit. Often with just a screwdriver and a pair of pliers she could have an engine running as smooth as silk. Fixing a flat tire was all in a day’s work for Matilda. A couple of tire irons, a jack, a lug wrench, a patch kit and a pump were to her just the same as jewelry was to most women. She was proud of her work and she had every right to be. When the war was finally over she was awarded The Golden Wrench of Meritorious Service for the many times that she went above and beyond what anyone else would have done. For years afterward, anytime one of her local home town mechanics could not diagnose or fix a problem, he would call Matilda to bail him out. And she was always pleased to continue to be of service to her country and her fellow man.
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