TULSA, Okla. — A swing dance was held Saturday night to honor Marina Metevelis, one of Green Country’s “Rosie’s the Riveters.”

The dance took place at Southminister Presbyterian Church, near 31st and Peoria, and lasted from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. At the dance, people were invited to wear patriotic or Rosie the Riveter clothing.

During World War II, Metevelis worked on B-17 bombers. After the War, Metevelis worked at the Tulsa Community College and danced in the Oklahoma Swing Syndicate.

Metevelis died in early 2023.

Rita Robbins helped found the Oklahoma Swing Syndicate. She also helped organize Saturday night’s event, which honored Metevelis.

“Ever since she’s been gone, we’ve been having a hard time, so to be able to come out, and we said, “No tears, no solemn, no nothing, just have fun and fun music and dancing and dressing up like our Rosie,’ we’re just happy to be here and celebrate her life,” Robbins said.

Robbins said the event was about having a good time.

“It’s going to be just about having fun because that’s what Marina would want us to do,” she said.

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