Donut Dollies Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill would award a single Congressional Gold Medal to the American Red Cross “Donut Dollies,” the women who volunteered in the Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) program during the Vietnam War. It recognizes their frontline service supporting U.S. troops’ morale. After the award, the medal would go to the Smithsonian for display and research, and it could be shown at other places connected to the Donut Dollies. The bill highlights their impact: 1,120 women served with the Red Cross in Vietnam, including 627 in SRAO; they brought recreation to an estimated 280,500 servicemen, traveled vast distances across 28 locations, and faced real danger—five Red Cross workers died, three from the SRAO group .

• Who is affected: Members of the Red Cross SRAO “Donut Dollies” who served honorably during the Vietnam conflict.
• What changes: The U.S. Mint would design and strike the gold medal; the Smithsonian would display it and may share it with other appropriate sites. Bronze duplicates could be sold to cover costs, with money managed through the Mint’s fund.
• Why it matters: Congress cites the Donut Dollies’ vital role in lifting troops’ spirits and their willingness to serve in dangerous conditions .