A Rosie inspiration in Cheboygan: At 104, Mary Liebner's still going strong

CHEBOYGAN — Members of the Cheboygan and Emmet County Chapter of the American Rosie the Riveter Association recently were able to sit down and learn the story of a local Rosie the Riveter, Mary Liebner of Cheboygan.

Originally from Trenary, a small town in the Upper Peninsula between Rapid River and Marquette, Mary Davis was born Nov. 14, 1917, the oldest of six children. Her father ran a general store and her mother had been a teacher. She graduated high school in 1935 and attended Ferris College, taking business classes for a year, before moving to Cheboygan in 1937 to live with and work for her aunt.

Don Liebner worked for the paper plant in Cheboygan and had noticed Davis around town. The two met, started dating and got married in 1942. Liebner was in the service, but was discharged from the military due to some health concerns.

The couple both felt strongly they needed to help in the war effort, so they moved to Ypsilanti and got jobs at Willow Run, an aircraft plant which made bomber planes. Don worked in the supply department and Mary worked in the office.

Mary's office was on an upper level, overlooking the work floor. She remembers the carts resembling ski lifts that would transport parts to different areas, winding around the factory.

The factory, which made B-24 Liberator Bombers, was one and one-quarter miles in length. The factory produced approximately 18 bombers a day and once a bomber was completed, women pilots would often deliver them to the front.

Mary recalled to the local members of the Rosie the Riveter chapter that those women pilots were not considered military and were not recognized for their efforts. After the war ended some of these women who earned the titles of Rosie the Riveter and were heroes had to finance their own way home, something that bothered Mary.

Mary was a proponent of woman’s liberation before it was a thing. She would not stand for inappropriate behavior from her male supervisors.

"The more you put up with, the more you have to put up with,” she said.

Her immediate supervisor threatened to have her fired for standing up to this type of behavior, but his supervisor recognized Mary’s strong work ethic, eye for detail and organization skills. She was transferred to another department and allowed to keep her job.

When the war ended, Mary and Don moved back to Cheboygan. They had saved their money and purchased a Packard dealership, located in what most recently is the National Office Supply businessmen where U.S. 23 meets Main Street.

Packard ceased production in 1957, so the dealership closed and Don went to work as an insurance adjuster. Mary and Don had two children, born in 1949 and 1952.

After 25 years of marriage, Don passed away in 1968. Mary was left with a son in college and a daughter still in high school. She ran for the position of Cheboygan County clerk, but did not win the election.

Local businessmen who were members of the chamber of commerce noticed Mary’s communication and organizational skills and suggested she apply for the position of chamber manager. This position had previously only been held by men.

During that time, it was implied that a woman could not be paid the same rate as a man. The rationale of the time was that a man needed to support their family. But, Mary needed to support her family and she refused to accept the position for any less than a man would make and left the meeting.

In less than an hour, they called her and offered the same pay the previous man had earned. Then, in less than six months, after showing how talented she was in her position, she received a raise. Not only was she the first woman chamber manager in Cheboygan, but she was also the highest paid.

Mary went on to get licensed to sell property and casualty insurance. She was the office manager for the Charles Couture Agency.

After many years of working Mary retired to be more active with many civic organizations. She was instrumental in developing the Cheboygan Historical Society.

Earning lifetime membership in the Garden Clubs of Michigan, Mary was tireless in her volunteerism. She worked with the Masonic Order of Eastern Star, United Methodist Church and several women’s clubs. She is also a member of the Seedums Garden Club and volunteers with that group.

Today, at 104 and one-half years old, Mary is a living piece of history. She has an interest in everything. She remembers when Rural Electrification came through the Upper Peninsula in the 1920s.

Mary enjoyed traveling and boating. When she was in her 50s and 60s she enjoyed riding a 125 cc motorcycle around town. In her 80s and 90s she authored two books, one about her father-in-law’s ferry boat on the inland waterway and the other about the small town in the Upper Peninsula she grew up in.

To fact check and research for the books, she became adept at using a computer for word processing and the internet for searches. She is always willing to learn and try new things.

Not only did Mary work as a Rosie during the war, she continues the Rosie “can do” spirit through her life. She became an inspiration and role model to other women, especially her granddaughter who holds a bachelor of science degree in construction technology and holds first mate papers to work on the open ocean in the maritime industry.

Mary was also active in 4-H when she was young. She won the local and regional competitions, enabling her to travel to the State Fair in Detroit where she was awarded “The Healthiest Girl in Michigan” award. That is holding true today.

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Cheboygan resident Mary Liebner earned the title of Rosie the Riveter