North Dakota 'Rosie the Riveter' Awarded Congressional Gold Medal

100-year-old Irene Sprague honored for her WWII defense industry work

Apr. 13, 2026 at 9:21am

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph of an elderly woman's hands holding a handmade quilt, with the quilt's intricate patterns and textures as the main focus, conveying a sense of warmth, craftsmanship, and the honoree's lifelong commitment to hard work.The Congressional Gold Medal recipient's quilting skills reflect a lifetime of dedication and service.Dawson Today

Irene Sprague, a 100-year-old resident of Steele, North Dakota, was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on Saturday for her service as a 'Rosie the Riveter' during World War II. Sprague left her family farm at age 16 to work in a shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, manufacturing parts for the U.S. Navy. After about a year, she returned to North Dakota to help her family on the farm. Sprague's family and state officials praised her lifelong hard work ethic and dedication to her country.

Why it matters

The 'Rosie the Riveter' movement was a critical part of the U.S. war effort, as millions of American women joined the manufacturing and defense industries to support the troops overseas. Honoring Sprague's service highlights the important role these women played and the lasting impact of their contributions.

The details

Irene Sprague grew up working on her family's farm near Tappen, North Dakota. At just 16 years old, she left her home to travel to Bremerton, Washington, where she worked for about a year manufacturing ship parts for the U.S. Navy. Women who entered the defense industry during this time were dubbed 'Rosie the Riveters,' a name popularized in government media and pop culture. After her time in Washington, Sprague returned to North Dakota to help her family on the farm. She later worked as a janitor at the local school to support her family after her husband passed away when their children were young.

  • Sprague left her family farm at age 16 to work in a shipyard in Bremerton, Washington.
  • Sprague worked in the shipyard for about a year, manufacturing parts for the U.S. Navy.
  • Sprague returned to North Dakota after her time in Washington to help her family on the farm.
  • Sprague was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on Saturday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Irene Sprague

A 100-year-old resident of Steele, North Dakota, who worked in the defense industry as a 'Rosie the Riveter' during World War II.

Dennis Sprague

Irene Sprague's son, who spoke about his mother's lifelong hard work ethic and dedication to her country at the award ceremony.

John Hoeven

A U.S. Senator from North Dakota who attended the ceremony and praised Sprague's strong work ethic as key to the U.S. winning World War II.

Kevin Cramer

A U.S. Senator from North Dakota who attended the ceremony honoring Irene Sprague.

Brigadier General Mitchell Johnson

The adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard who attended the ceremony.

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What they’re saying

“She never stopped — she continued working.”

— Dennis Sprague, Irene Sprague's son

“I don't want to call it a lost art, but I'm telling you, we're getting to be a smaller part of the country, where that's still the attitude.”

— John Hoeven, U.S. Senator

What’s next

Irene Sprague plans to present quilts she made to North Dakota officials as well as President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

The takeaway

Honoring Irene Sprague's service as a 'Rosie the Riveter' during World War II highlights the critical role that millions of American women played in supporting the war effort through their work in the defense industry. Sprague's lifelong dedication to hard work and service to her country serves as an inspiring example of the values that helped the U.S. emerge victorious from the war.