Harriet Buono was employed as an explosives operator at Picatinny Arsenal in New Jersey during the war.  Encouraged by Rosie the Riveter ads and a promise of decent pay, she and others like her, often without sufficient training, worked with gunpowder (black powder) and in the production of ordnance fuses in a dangerous environment where safety issues were always a concern. 

Ms. Buono’s greatest sense of achievement during those years was contributing to the war effort at home while others were serving abroad.  The physical and mental challenges of living during that time taught her that women had the freedom of choice to become more than housewives and mothers.  Her employment lasted until a reduction in force terminated her employment when the war ended.

HARRIET BUONO

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