Rep. Sherrill Fights for Congressional Gold Medal Recognition of the Donut Dollies

Washington, DC– Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) reintroduced today the bipartisan Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act to recognize the service of the 627 women who risked their lives to support troops on the frontlines of the Vietnam War. These fearless women traveled over 2 million miles across Vietnam, by helicopter, truck, and jeep, to improve the morale of front line servicemembers. This legislation would honor their service with a Congressional Gold Medal.

“The Donut Dollies served our country bravely during the Vietnam War, entering combat zones and facing similar dangers to those in active duty to provide our troops with much needed reprieve from war. These women’s efforts were critical at a time where morale and public opinion over the Vietnam War were low,” said Rep. Sherrill. “Throughout American history, women have played a critical role in our national defense, but too often their service goes unrecognized. I am proud to introduce this legislation to ensure the Donut Dollies receive the distinction they have earned with the Congressional Gold Medal.” 

“It is quite an honor that H.R. 8978 has been introduced in the House of Representatives to recognize the untiring efforts of the Red Cross ‘Donut Dollies’ who served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1973. Those of us who served did so very quietly but were very sincere and felt privileged to be able to provide minimum respite from the conflict to the military personnel at their assigned bases. We were constantly supporting the troops at centers, field bases and forward locales throughout Vietnam. To me, this bill not only acknowledges but also values the individuals who gave a year of their lives to support our military serving in Vietnam. Once the bill is passed it will become a part of American history and, in its own way, also respect the services of the many American females who were instrumental in supporting the United States military troops serving in all conflicts,” stated Peggy Mott, a Donut Dollie who lives in New Jersey.

“Our nation was so conflicted over the Vietnam War. I volunteered because I had friends and family that served and died in that war. My options were limited as a woman in the 70’s, but I wanted to do something. I joined the American Red Cross SRAO program and became a ‘Donut Dolly’ serving for 365 busy days and scary nights. Our mission was morale. Sadly, many men we served gave us their medals, saying ‘It don’t mean nothing.’ We knew better and that it meant everything to them that we were there,” stated Bobbie Trotter, a Donut Dolly from New Jersey. “Our pain had to be repressed. The Red Cross trained us to ‘Be there for the men.’ However, we too suffer from PTSD. Three Donut Dollies died in Vietnam. Because of the nature of the Vietnam War, none of us got a welcome home parade, and we had to fight for memorials, so we learned to greet one another with a hug and ‘Welcome Home, Brother or Sister.’ It was not enough. Like so many of our brothers, we felt that our nation forgot about us, or worse, never even knew. I’m so thrilled and so full of appreciation that at last our nation will see us and thank us because, you see, it does mean something!” 

Original co-sponsors of this legislation include Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6), Jack Bergman (MI-1), Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Madeleine Dean (PA-4), Dean Phillips (MN-3), Jamie Raskin (MD-8), Deborah Ross (NC-2), and Mike Thompson (CA-4).

“The brave women known as the ‘Donut Dollies’ supported over 280,500 servicemembers and traveled over 2,125,000 miles during the Vietnam War. They were sent to the frontlines to support those who were serving our Nation. I’m honored to co-sponsor the Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act to recognize the service of the Donut Dollies.” said Rep. Jack Bergman.

 “Throughout history, women’s service to our country has often been minimized. The women of the Red Cross Supplemental Recreational Activities Overseas program are no exception,” said Rep. Houlahan. “Although they did not serve as military members, 627 of these women voluntarily risked everything serving on the frontlines of the Vietnam War alongside U.S. and Allied soldiers. Many of these women were injured, and some died. The Congressional Gold Medal is a well-deserved commemoration of our gratitude for the service and sacrifice of the Red Cross volunteers and their untold stories.”

“We owe the brave Red Cross women volunteers, known as the Donut Dollies, a tremendous amount of gratitude for the courageous actions they took to look after our soldiers in uniform during the Vietnam War. This act honors their sacrifices with a Congressional Gold Medal for their service to our nation,” said Rep. Anna Paulina Luna. “As a former member of the military myself, I am honored to co-sponsor this legislation with my fellow colleagues to give these women the respect they deserve.”

During the Vietnam War, hundreds of women from the American Red Cross, known as the “Donut Dollies,” served overseas and provided critical support to over 280,500 U.S. servicemembers. These Red Cross workers, most of whom were between the ages of 21-24, were part of the Red Cross Supplemental Recreational Activities Overseas (SRAO) program. Throughout the war, the Donut Dollies traveled over 2,125,000 miles by helicopter, truck, and jeep to reach servicemembers and comfort those who had experienced the horrors of war. The Donut Dollies program was started in World War II and returned to support the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam.

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