VETERANS PRESS: Honoring women veterans
"Courageous Past — Unlimited Future." This is the motto you will see on the Idaho Women Veterans Medallion. Four local women veterans recently met with Idaho State Treasurer Julie A. Ellsworth, who championed the birth of this medallion, to celebrate its meaning and share stories of their own military background.
The one troy ounce fine silver was minted in Idaho by the Sunshine Mint Inc. and was unveiled in 2020 at the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa.
"This medallion symbolizes the contribution women have made over the years to protect our freedom," Ellsworth said. "The life experiences of those depicted on the medallion reveal both courage and sacrifice and are an inspiration to me. It has been a privilege to meet the family members of these extraordinary women."
The medallion portrays five women veterans who represent all veterans.
With the help of a select committee, Ellsworth focused on all aspects of design and production. The struggle was real. COVID was slowly closing in on the world. But, just as the motto reflects, the unlimited courage of Ellsworth and the committee allowed the work to continue, and Gov. Brad Little signed the bill before the government shut down.
This story serves as a reminder for all women veterans to share their legacy. The Military Women's Memorial in Washington, D.C., is a one-of-a-kind tribute to all American servicewomen. Go to www.militarywomensmemorial.org and register to have your experience take a rightful and visible place in history. Of the thousands of names of women veterans already registered, Idaho has the lowest number.
To order your medallion, visit: www.STO.Idaho.Gov. All the proceeds from the sale of this medallion go to funding Idaho’s State Veterans Cemeteries.
This 2020 medallion celebrates all Idaho Women Veterans during the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage. The motto "Courageous Past Unlimited Future" was selected in support of the Idaho Women 100 campaign. The design depicts five women veterans who represent all veterans. Four stars on the front symbolize the fact that Idaho was the fourth state that allowed women to vote and the first to do so by constitutional amendment. Finally, the phrase "Support Idaho's Heroes" is consistent with language on the other two medallions in this series and is significant because all the proceeds from the sale of this medallion go to funding Idaho's State Veterans Cemeteries.
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The medallion is one troy ounce, .999 fine silver and was minted in Idaho by Sunshine Mint Inc. The medallion is available at Nampa’s Warhawk Air Museum, the Idaho State Museum, the State Capitol gift shop and the State Treasurer’s Office. The cost is $100 for a numbered edition or $50 for an unnumbered version.
Four local women veterans from American Legion Post No. 154 in Rathdrum recently met with Idaho State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth. From left: Helen Kinder, Jean Bledsoe, Ellsworth, Ruth Aresvik and Dee Sasse.