Rosie the Riveter Honored in Washington D.C. with a Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal
Thanks to the efforts of American Rosie the Riveter Association Members with the coordination of the Rosie the Riveter Trust from the Rosie the Riveter World War II Homefront National Historic Park in Richmond, CA…
The following FAQs will be answered below:
- What’s the story behind the Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal?
- How can I get a Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal for my own Rosie?
- Where can I watch a video of the April 10, 2024 Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony?
What’s the story behind the Rose the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal?
On April 10, 2024 in Washington D.C., the Rosie the Riveters of WWII were awarded, collectively and symbolically, a Congressional Gold Medal. This honor represents many years of work on the part of American Rosie the Riveter Association (ARRA) members Mae Krier and the late Phyllis Gould, a couple of real WWII Rosies who proved that, “We Can Do It!” Two dozen living Rosie the Riveters, members of ARRA and all around 100 years old, attended the ceremony at the United States Capitol, by invitation from the Speaker of the House.
American Rosie the Riveter Association (ARRA) members Mae and Phyllis led a years-long campaign for the Congressional Gold Medal honor for the Rosies. In addition, during that period, ARRA member Mae Krier also secured Congressional recognition of March 21 as National Rosie the Riveter Day.
Our friends at the Rosie the Riveter Trust in Richmond, CA coordinated with the Office of the Speaker of the House to bring 27 Rosies, including ARRA Rosies & members, from across the nation to participate in the ceremony.
Many thanks to the generous sponsors who made the ceremony possible, including Premier Sponsor the Gary Sinise Foundation, and sponsors The Boeing Company, The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 549 and Local 92, Kaiser Permanente, Northrop Grumman, United & CSX, as well as all the individual donors who helped make this once in a lifetime trip for the Rosies possible.
Here’s a link where you can read the wording of the bipartisan congressional act that awarded the medal: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/1773)
How do I get a Gold Medal for my own Rosie?
A bronze version of the medal is available for purchase from the United States Mint.
Here is a link to the United States Mint website: https://www.usmint.gov
The only way you can purchase an official replica medal is from the U.S. Mint at the link above.
Free medals are not available. With many millions of women joining the workforce as Rosie the Riveters during WWII, it is not feasible for Congress to distribute medals to all Rosies, passed or living. One Congressional Gold Medal was struck, and was unveiled and presented symbolically and collectively to all the Rosies at the ceremony in Washington on April 10, 2024, and thereafter will be displayed at the National Museum of American History.
Another way to recognize your Rosie: After purchasing a replica Rosie medal directly from the US Mint, we encourage you to add your family Rosie to the American Rosie the Riveter Association’s Deceased Rosie Registry. [Look under Membership on this website in the navigation menu above.] You’ll receive a certificate from us with her name recognizing her as a real Rosie who helped her country in WWII. And please join our organization yourself as a Rosebud or Rivet member! Your one-time membership fee entitles you to our quarterly newsletter where you can keep up with our activities to honor the Rosies and preserve their legacy, and an invitation to our ARRA National Convention. If there is an ARRA Chapter in your area, you can get directly involved, or you can participate in our national programs as featured in our newsletter. Please support us in honoring and remembering the Rosies!
Where can I watch a video of the April 10, 2024 Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony?
The Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony is available for viewing PBS. Here is the link to watch:
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-rosie-the-riveters-to-be-honored-with-congressional-gold-medal-for-wwii-efforts?emci=f1579893-35fc-ee11-aaf0-7c1e52017038&emdi=257f2fec-4efc-ee11-aaf0-7c1e52017038&ceid=18701304
Read one of the many articles about the D.C. honor here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/10/us/politics/rosie-riveter-congressional-medal.html
And download the souvenir program here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o67Qa2iclKs-b1poNvI0lr2phpEIFz-8/view?emci=f1579893-35fc-ee11-aaf0-7c1e52017038&emdi=257f2fec-4efc-ee11-aaf0-7c1e52017038&ceid=18701304
