Communicating Across Generations with Rosie the Riveter’s Bandana

Post #5 for Matilda Butler and Kendra Bonnett — authors of Rosie’s Daughters

I doubt anyone will question or challenge the importance of communication. It’s a most elemental connection, whether among family members or between countries (and every group and individual in between). If we all agree, then why do we need conferences to help us do what should not only come naturally but be our number one imperative?

Because in this case, we’re talking about communication across generations. We all get caught up in our own worlds and sometimes forget to communicate outside the groups with which we feel most comfortable. The truth is we can learn a lot from one another. Just as lines of communication should go both ways across the generations, so too should the lessons.

In a recent post on Lisa’s Generation Relations Blog, Lisa Orrell reported speaking before a packed session (more than 800 attendees) at the Professional Business Women of California annual conference. This year’s theme was “Across the Generations” and Lisa’s topic “effectively communicating across the generations.”

Matilda and I look at the accomplishments of the Generation of Rosie’s Daughters (women born during WWII who came of age in the 60s and have made significant contributions to business, the arts, sports, professions and education ever since). This generation of accomplished women has a lot to share with younger women. And vice versa. This is the objective of our campaign to Share the Legacy of Rosie’s Bandana. We invite your thoughts on what the messages should be.

We are still reaching out to organizations and individuals to work with us as we develop this critical form of communication–across the generations.

UPDATE: Now the official Rosie the Riveter Legacy bandana is bigger (27 x 27″) and more beautiful than ever before. And it’s made in the USA. We’ve been getting orders from empowered women who want to show their strength by dressing like Rosie the Riveter this Halloween. We think that’s a wonderful idea.