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San Jose resident Mary Fierros, an original “Rosie the Riveter” from World War II, turned 100 on Monday. But because of coronavirus social-distancing limits, she didn’t get a party. Instead, she got a parade.
As the beloved birthday girl watched from a chair in the driveway of her home on McLaughlin Avenue, a 15-minute procession of vehicles streamed by with well-wishers honking their horns, holding up signs and shouting a “Happy Birthday” to the woman known as “Tia Mary.”
And it wasn’t just friends and family. The parade was led by a group of San Jose Police Department motorcycle and SUVs, including one driven by San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia. There were a couple of fire trucks, too, and San Jose City Councilwoman Magdalena Carrasco waved and stopped by for a socially distanced visit.
“I can’t believe it. I never expected this,” said Fierros from behind a stylish white mask that from several feet away seemed to be studded with rhinestones.
The birthday day surprise was arranged by Fierros’ great-niece, comedian Anjelah Johnson, who called her Tia Mary “a symbol of strength and love.” Johnson lives in Los Angeles, so she had to arrange everything remotely through family members in San Jose and watched the parade with her Tia Mary over a video call.
“She has watched me grow up, find who I am, and become successful in my career. She offers loving grandmother wisdom along with endless hilarious anecdotes — and not just for me, for everyone who is blessed to have her in their lives,” said Johnson, who has incorporated jokes and stories about Tia Mary into her standup act. “Whenever she’s able to come to a live show, I acknowledge her, and she gives a little wave to the people.”
Mary Fierros worked for Douglas Aircraft, riveting the wings on B-29 bombers in Long Beach. After her husband, Mike Fierros, was sent to Okinawa, she went to work at Southern Pacific Railroad, changing water and oil on train engines. After the couple moved to San Jose, she got a job with Levi Strauss, starting in the factory and working her way up to personnel manager when she retired after 33 years.
“We were just reminiscing and saying that she’s gone through so much,” said Susie Castaneda, whose husband, Rudy Castaneda, is Fierros’ nephew. “We’re just really sad that we can’t be in her home or in a hall giving her the celebration that she deserves.”
Her husband died in 2012, but Fierros is still pretty busy attending Rosie the Riveter events where she is often honored. And that experience led to the second surprise — and second parade — of the day.
A group of friends from the Spirit of ’45 committee, which stages commemorations of the end of World War II at History Park in San Jose, also arranged for a parade past Fierros’ home Monday afternoon. This caravan included a dozen World War II-era vehicles and artist Seward Johnson’s 500-pound Rosie the Riveter sculpture on the back of a truck.
Led by Karen Carter, several members of the singing group the Zingers met at Fierros’ home and sang a special Mary-themed birthday song from a safe distance, wearing masks, before the parade came by.
The dual parades were fitting bookends to an amazing day for an equally amazing woman. Garcia, the San Jose police chief, said having himself and other officers participate in the parade was a way of saying thank you to someone who stood up for her country during one of history’s most momentous eras. “When you read through her history and what she means, it’s pretty symbolic to what we’re going through right now to remain strong and get through it,” he said.
For Mary Fierros’ part, she says her day is something the rest of us should look forward to. “Here’s what’s going to happen,” she said, “when you turn 100, you get a surprise.”
