FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 24, 2025
CONTACT: Raya Kenney
New Bipartisan Bill Introduced To Honor Working Women of WWII with National Mall Memorial
Washington, D.C. — On March 24, Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Russ Fulcher (R-ID) introduced new bipartisan legislation to authorize the National Mall as the location for the memorial honoring the women who worked on the home front during World War II. This bill represents a decade-long effort to honor the more than 18 million trailblazing women who served as riveters, pilots, engineers, electricians, mechanics, code breakers, and more with a memorial in our nation’s capital.
The bill’s introduction coincides with Rosie the Riveter Day, a day dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of the American women who stepped up to support the war effort during World War II. While the National Mall includes a memorial to the men who served in World War II, it noticeably lacks a prominent work honoring the heroic contributions of the women of World War II who served as the backbone of the war effort.
“The unwavering courage and determination of these women, and the lasting impact of Rosies on future generations undeniably deserve to be honored on our nation's National Mall. Without it, the full story of WWII goes untold,” said Raya Kenney, CEO and Founder of the WWII Women’s Memorial Foundation. “This bill ensures that this memorial is built in its rightful place near the existing WWII memorial, where it can stand as a testament to the extraordinary legacy of these women’s service and sacrifice. We call on Congress to swiftly enact this legislation so that America’s living Rosies—who are celebrating their 98th, 99th, and centennial birthdays—can see their memorial come to fruition in their lifetime.”
Congress enacted bipartisan legislation in 2022 authorizing the establishment of the memorial in Washington, DC. Authorizing the National Mall as the location for this memorial requires a second piece of legislation—the World War II Women’s Memorial Location Act.
“The monuments and memorials displayed in Washington tell America’s story,” said Senator Shaheen. “The invaluable contributions of ‘Rosie the Riveters’ during World War II are measured not only by the countless American lives they helped save, but also by the generations of women they inspired to serve our nation. Our bipartisan legislation designates a permanent home to memorialize the brave women who worked on the home front during the second world war.”
“Over 18 million women served on the home front during World War II, playing a key role in American history. They helped support their country while inspiring future generations of women to join the workforce,” said Senator Blackburn. “A memorial honoring the sacrifice and service of these women should be placed on the National Mall as a powerful reminder of their legacy in fighting for freedom and building the equipment needed by America’s troops during World War II.”
"Our Rosies answered the call when our nation needed them most, redefining the role of the American woman and opening the door wider for generations to come," said Congresswoman Dingell. "This bill will take us one step closer to ensuring our Rosies receive the recognition they deserve, and I am honored to lead legislation to honor their service and commitment to America and their unwavering ‘can do’ spirit. We will always be thankful for their strength, bravery, and lasting impact on our nation."
"During World War II, millions of American women answered the call to serve our nation by holding down our home front,” Congressman Fulcher said. “In Idaho, many women took to running farms and ranches while others went to factories around the USA to build planes, munitions, and ships to support the war effort. I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan bill to honor their service, sacrifice, and patriotism by securing the location for a memorial in our nation’s capital, supported entirely through private funds."
“The introduction of this legislation is an important step forward in our efforts to etch the memories of these inspiring women on our nation’s National Mall,” said Raya Kenney. “Thank you to Senators Shaheen and Blackburn and Representatives Dingell and Fulcher for fighting to preserve the stories and legacies of the women who shaped American history during WWII.”
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About the World War II Women’s Memorial Foundation
In 2022, the Women Who Worked on the Home Front WWII Memorial Act authorized the WWII Women’s Memorial Foundation to build a memorial in Washington, DC. This memorial will honor the women whose contributions were essential to sustaining the war effort. The Foundation’s mission is to highlight the vital roles these women played and the lasting impact they had on future generations in the workforce. The memorial will be fully funded through private donations—no government funds will be used, as required by the Commemorative Works Act.
For updates on the memorial, visit https://wwiiwomenmemorial.org/. Media inquiries should be directed to homefront@rokksolutions.com.