When June Robbins of Media was just a teenager, she became one of six million “Rosie the Riveters” who stepped into manufacturing plants, shipyards, and heavy industry jobs during World War II. Robbins worked at the Philadelphia Naval Yard, building and repairing ships for the U.S. and its allies.

On September 18, she was the guest of honor at Delaware County Community College’s Celebration of Women in STEM and Skilled Trades at the Advanced Technology Center on its Marple Campus. Students, staff, faculty and U.S. Representatives Mary Gay Scanlon and Chrissy Houlahan presented Robbins with a cake marking her 100th birthday.

DCCC graduated its first female STEM students—who were Natural Science Majors—in 1972. Fifty-four years later, Lillian Yost follows in their footsteps as a current DCCC Mathematics and Natural Science major. “I would not have the opportunities I have today without the women who came before me and fought for our place,” she said. “It is an honor to celebrate June Robbins.”

In 2025 Yost was selected to participate in the highly competitive Wistar Institute Biomedical Technician Training Program. The Philadelphia-based Wistar Institute is a global leader in biomedical research, with special expertise in cancer, immunology, infectious disease, and vaccine development. It is one of many competitive internship opportunities available to DCCC students. “It was an opportunity that changed my life,” Yost said. She plans to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and pursue a career in biomedical research.

“The symbol of Rosie the Riveter, and people like June Robbins, continue to remind us that women are capable, we belong in these spaces, and that our experience and input add to the depth of these industries,” said DCCC student Christa Heyward, PhD. She is using the experience she gained in DCCC’s Residential Carpentry program to complete a two-year fellowship in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building Technologies Office.

“It is fitting that June’s century of life be celebrated at DCCC’s Advanced Technology Center because this 32,000-square-foot building is where the College offers state-of-the-art training in advanced manufacturing and the skilled trades, such as welding, carpentry, plumbing and HVAC,” said DCCC President Dr. Marta Yera Cronin. During World War II, women like June Robbins paved the way by showing that women not only can do STEM and skilled trades jobs, but do them well.”

Other speakers at the event included Legacy Bridges STEM Academy CEO Dr. Joi Spraggins and Congresswomen Scanlon and Houlahan. Dr. Spraggins spoke of the historical, current and future importance of having more women enter the STEM and skilled trades professions, especially aeronautics. She also discussed the work Legacy Bridges does to introduce young girls to the idea of careers in STEM.

Scanlon spoke about the historic and future role of women in STEM and the skilled trades, especially at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, which is in her congressional district. Houlahan spoke of her life as an Air Force vet, engineer, entrepreneur, and educator.

The celebration concluded with the reading of a special commendation from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and the presentation of a special 100th birthday cake to a jubilant Robbins.

For more on DCCC’s STEM programs, visit dccc.edu/stem. For more on DCCC’s Skilled Trades programs, visit  dccc.edu/wed.

Photo caption 1: Back row, L to R: Dr. Joi Spraggins; DCCC student Lillian Yost; U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon; DCCC President Dr. Marta Yera Cronin; DCCC student Christa Heyward. Front row, L to R: June Robbins, U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan.