Irene Sprague smiles during a ceremony April 11, 2026, honoring her service working in military manufacturing during World War II. She turned 100 earlier in the week. (Photo by Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor)
DAWSON, N.D. (North Dakota Monitor) – 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 like Sprague are called “Rosie the Riveters,” a name popularized in government media and pop culture.
After about a year in Washington, Sprague returned to North Dakota to help her family on the farm.
Family members at a ceremony in Dawson described Sprague as a life-long hard worker who loves her country.
Sprague’s husband died when their children were still young, her son, Dennis, said at the ceremony. Sprague supported the family by working the farm for 10 years before her oldest son took over, he said. She also worked as a janitor at the local school.
“She never stopped — she continued working,” Dennis said.
The ceremony was attended by North Dakota’s U.S. senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer, as well as Brigadier General Mitchell Johnson, adjutant general of the North Dakota National Guard.
Sprague during the ceremony presented quilts she made for North Dakota officials as well as President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Hoeven told Sprague he believes the strong work ethic of people like her was key to the United States winning World War II.
“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,” Hoeven said.
The Congressional Gold Medal is the country’s highest civilian award.
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