BECOME A MEMBER
Henderson Historical Society Stories

Irene Rostine

Magnesium Maggie

The original Bombshell. A Magnesium Maggie hard at work at the BMI plant, circa 1940.

Most people have heard of Rosie the Riveter, but on a local level, Southern Nevada had its own version of hard-working, wartime women known as “Magnesium Maggies.” The term was coined by researcher and former war worker herself, Irene Rostine. Ms. Rostine’s work is focused on the role of women in Southern Nevada’s magnesium war industry. With the largest group working at the Basic Magnesium Plant in Henderson, women drove forklifts, handled ingots, were full-fledged machinists, and worked over molten metal. Find more about Magnesium Maggie here:

Magnesium Maggie: Ready to do the Job

Were you or someone in your family a Magnesium Maggie at the BMI plant? If so, we want to know. Tell us your story! It’s worth it’s weight in gold…or magnesium.