Mae Krier is recognized as a Woman of Distinction for her service to the country and her advocacy for recognizing the role women played in WWII. Mae was an original “Rosie the Riveter.”  The Rosies of World War II are an inspiration to all generations for blazing the trail that changed the way women were viewed in the workplace. They worked to produce tanks, ships, planes and other weapons to support the war effort. The strong, bandana-clad Rosies became an iconic image of working women in WWII.  Mae worked at Boeing Aircraft from 1943 to 1945 producing B17s and B29s.  Mae signed her name to the 5000th B17 Flying Fortress to leave the Boeing factory after the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Mae, 98 years young, has worked tirelessly advocating for formal recognition of the role women played in supporting the war effort during WWII. She was instrumental in Congress’ 2017 decision to annually recognize

March 21st as National Rosie the Riveter Day, and to pass the 2020 Rosie the Riveter Congressional Gold Medal Act which recognizes the more than 16 million women who built aircraft, vehicles, weaponry, and ammunition during the war. In April, 2024, Mae will receive her own Congressional Gold Medal.