Vallejo sculptor JeanCherie is leading an effort to erect a 10-foot bronze statue called 'Wendy the Welder' on Mare Island to honor the thousands of women who worked at the shipyard during World War II. - Women made up 20% of the 44,000 wartime workers at Mare Island, building and repairing over 1,600 ships.
- A model of the statue will be displayed at Mare Island Art Studios from June 7 to June 29, 2026. - The statue aims to preserve the legacy of women who faced lower pay but performed critical work, including on the USS Nereus.
- The project requires broad community support due to its six-figure cost.