North Dakota ‘Rosie the Riveter’ awarded Congressional Gold Medal

By: Mary Steurer

Outlets: North Dakota Monitor

Published: April 11, 2026

Words: 336

Last Updated: 2 months, 2 weeks ago

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DAWSON, N.D. – A 100-year-old Steele resident received a Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Saturday for being one of millions of American women who joined the defense industry during World War II.

Irene Sprague grew up working for her family farm near Tappen. She was just 16 when she left her home for Bremerton, Washington, to manufacture ship parts for the U.S. Navy.

Women who entered the manufacturing and defense industries in the 1940s …

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