Jessica Belmosto

Former Metropolitan Riveters General Manager, Anya Packer called in special forces to commemorate the Black women of World War 2. Jasmine Baker, Erica Ayala and Jordan Dabney brought Black Rosie to life.

Rosie the Riveter is depicted as a white woman but white women were not the only ones in factories. In fact, there were nearly 600,000 Black women in factories throughout the war.

Looking Back At Black Rosie Day

“I have an hour and a half drive,” said Packer. “I can talk forever.”

It was an early December afternoon when Anya Packer and I had a chance to catch up.Packer had just dropped her wife Madison off at the airport for the Riveters’ road trip to Minnesota. She noted her son Waylon is awake but the latest addition, Harlan, was asleep bound to wake up.

“Black women are so hugely underrepresented,” said Packer. “Black Rosie is among us every day.”

Freelance artist Jordan “Jo” Dabney and Black Rosie Media Founder Erica Ayala helped bring the vision to life.

The jersey went from a concept to a viral sensation. Not only was hockey Twitter eating it up – ESPN, TSN and NHL teams were highlighting Black Rosie.

“The depth of how far Black Rosie got made me feel like it was necessary,” said the former general manager. “More representation is always needed and I was in a position of power to green-light the project.”

Packer admits the most authentic storytelling in sports is done through the WNBA and “is on the shoulders of Black women.”

In hockey, Black women have led powerful storylines in a sport that isn’t known for being diverse.

She mentions Black Rosie Media founded by Erica Ayala. At the time of the event, Ayala had just returned from covering the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

“It wasn’t just a game,” said Packer. “It was an event. Jasmine Baker put a lot of work into making that event Black-centric. Ari Chambers (HighlightHER founder) and Erica Ayala emceed the event. We had a DJ. Jasmine really wanted to show a piece of Black culture.”

Baker tied in another element of Black culture by inviting sneaker designer and icon, Jazerai Allen-Lord.

“For me, that project will always be bigger than hockey,” said Baker. “It scratches the surface of how we can use sports and fashion as a catalyst for change while looking dope as hell!”

When we talk about creating a space for marginalized groups, we often see the games as a flash in the pan. There may not be a true commitment to diversity. Artist Dabney wants to change that.

“Hockey isn’t exactly known for its diversity,” Dabney said. “But being able to say I’m someone that helped create something that helps promote and push for inclusivity in the sport is indescribable.”

“I didn’t do Black Rosie on my own – it wasn’t my concept or anything,” said Dabney. “So, being able to work alongside Erica Ayala, Jasmine Baker and Anya Packer to create this and truly bring it to life for so many people to enjoy, was, and still is,  amazing.”

That February afternoon wasn’t just about winning a hockey game or a possible jump in the standings. There was an undeniable energy in the arena that one can only dream on replicating. t wasn’t just about a hockey game or making a jump in the standings. 

For some, this was their first game since the pandemic. It was about celebrating the Black community. Black Girl Hockey Club held a meetup after the game. It was a chance for the community to connect and bond while celebrating history.

“It’s not just about putting Black Rosie on a jersey or a t-shirt,” Packer said. “There was something done to show a bit of what Black culture is. It’s a family and a real culture change we need to make hockey more open. Black Rosie, Black Girl Hockey Club and Black culture showed up.”

Packer went on to share how she feels specialty games and jerseys fail when an organization does not build an event around it. It isn’t about the merch line or a jersey. It’s about celebrating what you’re standing for.

Since Black Rosie, Jordan Dabney has gone on to design several projects in the NHL and OHL. 

“There is still work to be done,” Packer said. “but making Rosie more accessible was certainly a step in the right direction.”