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Today, the United States House of Representatives unanimously passed the bipartisan Women’s World War II Memorial Location Act to place a monument on the National Mall, near the existing WWII Memorial, in honor of the women who worked on the home front during World War II. The bipartisan bill, led by Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Russ Fulcher (R-ID), is the next legislative step needed after Congress passed legislation in 2022 authorizing the establishment of a memorial.

Under current law, an act of Congress is required to place a commemorative work on the National Mall. This bill advances a decade-long effort to properly honor the more than 18 million trailblazing women – known as Rosie the Riveters – who worked as riveters, pilots, engineers, electricians, mechanics, code breakers, and more, most of which women had been previously told they were incapable of.

“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. I’m proud to pass this bill through the House, and look forward to it being signed into law, so we can begin work on this monument to complete the story of World War II in our nation’s front yard.” 

“Rosie the Riveters were vital to the war effort during WWII. In Idaho, heroic civilian women worked and volunteered at the Farragut Naval Training Station in North Idaho. Built shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, it became the second-largest naval training base in the country,” said Congressman Fulcher. “I’m proud to have co-led this bipartisan, bicameral legislation to honor their service, sacrifice, and patriotism by securing the location for a memorial in our nation’s capital—proudly supported entirely through private funds.”

View Dingell’s remarks on the House Floor here.

During WWII, the percentage of women in the workforce rose to nearly 37%. At Ford Motor Company’s Willow Run Bomber Plant in Michigan women made up one-third of a workforce that turned out one complete B-24 Liberator Bomber every 55 minutes. Many women worked in jobs previously reserved for men, such as riveters and welders.

Dingell has long worked to ensure the Rosies’ work and legacy are honored and remembered, hosting a group of 11 Rosies on a visit to the U.S. Capitol. She also helped pass the Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the Rosies. The original Rosie the Riveter, Rose Will Monroe, moved to Michigan to build B-24 bombers at Willow Run in Ypsilanti.