WWII Women’s Memorial Location Act Advances in Congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 23, 2025 

CONTACT: Raya Kenney

homefront@rokksolutions.com

WWII Women’s Memorial Location Act Advances in Congress 

House Natural Resources Committee unanimously advances bipartisan bill to authorize National Mall as site for memorial honoring the millions of women who worked on the home front during WWII

Washington, D.C.— Today, WWII Women’s Memorial Foundation Executive Director Raya Kenney issued the following statement on the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee’s unanimous passage of the bipartisan World War II Women’s Memorial Location Act(H.R.2290/S.1088):

“The House Committee's passage of the WWII Women’s Memorial Location Act marks an important step forward in the effort to commemorate the service and sacrifice of the women who worked on the home front during WWII in Washington, D.C.”

“The WWII Women’s Memorial Foundation is grateful to the Committee—especially Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-CA), Federal Lands Subcommittee Chairman Tom Tiffany (R-WI) and Ranking Member Joe Neguse (D-CO), and House champions Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Russ Fulcher (R-ID)—for their leadership in advancing this bill on a strong bipartisan basis.” 

“We urge House leadership to bring the bill up for a floor vote as soon as possible.” 

Last week, Kenney testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands, advocating for the bill, which was introduced in March by U.S. Representatives Dingell and Fulcher, along with Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). 

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About the World War II Women’s Memorial Foundation

Among the primary goals of the World War II Women’s Memorial Foundation is to increase awareness of the vital roles women played in supporting our country during trying times. The World War II Women’s Memorial Location Act authorizes the World War II Women’s Memorial Foundation to build a commemorative work on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to honor the service and sacrifice of the women who worked on the home front during WWII. 

For updates on the memorial, visit WWIIWomenMemorial.org. Media inquiries should be directed to info@whfnmf.org or homefront@rokksolutions.com.

WWII Women’s Memorial Founder and CEO Testifies on Capitol Hill in Support of the Memorial’s Location

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

July 16, 2025

CONTACT: Raya Kenney

homefront@rokksolutions.com

Raya Kenney advocates to recognize Rosie the Riveters’ contributions to WWII on the National Mall

Washington, D.C. — Today, Raya Kenney, founder and executive director of the WWII Women’s Memorial Foundation, testified before the House Natural Resources Federal Lands Subcommittee in support of bipartisan legislation authorizing the National Mall as the location for the memorial honoring the service and sacrifice of the 18 million American women who worked on the home front during WWII.

“These women served as the backbone of the war effort and many directly contributed by building planes, tanks, munitions, and other equipment needed by American troops,” said Raya Kenney, CEO and Founder of the WWII Women’s Memorial Foundation. “As General Eisenhower said, ‘The contribution of the women of America, whether on the farm or in the factory or in uniform, to D-Day was a sine qua non of the invasion effort.’”

In March, U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Russ Fulcher (R-ID), along with Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), introduced the bipartisan, bicameral World War II Women’s Memorial Location Act (H.R.2290/S.1088) to authorize the National Mall as the location of the memorial. Congress originally authorized the memorial in 2022, and Kenney’s testimony today on the location marks another important milestone toward properly honoring America’s Rosies in our nation’s capital.

“This bill advances a decade-long effort to properly honor the more than 18 million trailblazing women who became known as Rosie the Riveters,” said Representative Dingell. “I'm proud to lead this bipartisan legislation and help complete the story of World War II in our nation's front yard.”

“[W]ith millions of men overseas in this World War II era, American women popularly known as the Rosies stepped into the roles traditionally held by those men,” said Representative Fulcher. “Despite their monumental contributions, we still lack an independent prominent memorial in Washington, D.C. honoring these patriots.”

Kenney said she “strongly believe[s] that the Memorial honoring the millions of American women of WWII should be dedicated within walking distance of the WWII Memorial, just as the Vietnam Women’s Memorial was dedicated yards away from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.” She emphasized the necessity of the legislation, as the National Park Service and other relevant entities may not consider the National Mall as the location without congressional authorization.

“Much like today’s veterans, we must honor their contributions to America and not allow their stories to be lost,” Kenney said. “Today, as we near the 80th anniversary of our victory in WWII and the 250th birthday of this great nation, it is time to ensure the service and sacrifice of the American women of WWII are eternally etched into our collective memory.”

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About the World War II Women’s Memorial Foundation

Among the primary goals of the World War II Women’s Memorial Foundation is to increase awareness of the vital roles women played in supporting our country during trying times. The World War II Women’s Memorial Location Act authorizes the World War II Women’s Memorial Foundation to build a commemorative work on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. to honor the women who worked on the home front during WWII.

For updates on the memorial, visit WWIIWomenMemorial.org. Media inquiries should be directed to info@whfnmf.org or homefront@rokksolutions.com.

New Bipartisan Bill Introduced To Honor Working Women of WWII with National Mall Memorial

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 24, 2025

CONTACT: Raya Kenney

homefront@rokksolutions.com

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.