Connie the Riveter: 97-year-old Kansan celebrated at Women in Aviation Exhibit

Spirit AeroSystems has named Connie Palacioz the inaugural member of the Women in Aviation - Kansas Women’s Hall of Fame, celebrating the 97-year-old at the grand opening of the hall of fame exhibit inside the B-29 Doc Hangar on Wednesday.

Palacioz, who worked as a riveter for Boeing on the B-29 program right out of high school from 1943 to 1945, returned to the factory floor in 2017 when she volunteered to help restore Doc, one of two historic World War II-era Superfortresses in the world that can fly.

“I’m honored to be featured in this exhibit that tells the story of the women who went to work in the Boeing Wichita factory during World War II,” Palacioz said. “Our nation needed us during the war and I wanted to help.”

Spirit CEO Tom Gentile called Palacioz “not only a Wichita treasure, but a national one.”

“The contributions of Connie and women who worked in the defense industry during World War II were a vital piece of the victory realized by the United States and Allied Forces,” Gentile said.

The 2,000-square-foot exhibit will be a permanent feature in the Doc hangar.

“I know this exhibit will serve as a lasting monument to those who joined me in Wichita and beyond to answer the call to protect the freedom and country we so loved,” Palacioz said.

This story was originally published May 4, 2022 at 3:30 PM.