BUCKHANNON — The Elizabeth Zane Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution recently awarded Linda Shomo with a Community Service Award.

Shomo was honored for the hard work and countless hours she put in to make the Rosie the Riveter statue at Elkins Veterans Park a reality. Shomo received the award during the most recent NSDAR meeting, held at the Upshur County Public Library.

“Our local chapter awarded Linda with this award for her community service,” said Rita Cochran, Vice-Regent of the Elizabeth Zane Chapter NSDAR. “It was a state-approved award for our local chapter that we give out once a year, and we are hoping that she will get state and national recognition with the Daughters of the American Revolution. She put a lot of hard work into the Rosie the Riveter statue.”

While serving as president of the Emma Scott Garden Club for two years, relentlessly worked on the Rosie the Riveter statue project. In May 2025, the 6-foot, 3-inch statue arrived in Elkins from Provo, Utah, and in July the statue was placed in Elkins Veterans Park.

“Linda has been the driving force behind every detail and ensured this was a community legacy, engraving the names of Rosie from across West Virginia directly onto the statue, forever preserving their place in history,” Cochran said.

“Linda’s leadership has given our community a cultural icon that represents the strength, labor and patriotism of the women who built our nation’s defense. Because of her, their story is cast in bronze for generations to see. We are so proud of what she has accomplished.”

Rosie the Riveter is a cultural icon of World War II that represents the women who worked in factories and shipyards during the war. Any woman who received pay for any essential work during WWII is considered a Rosie.

The NSDAR is made up of members who have a lineal descent from a person who aided in the formation of the United States by performing military, civil, or patriotic service during the American Revolutionary Way.

To preserve history, promote education, and promote patriotism are the organization’s three goals. To learn more about DAR, visit www.dar.org.

For more information about the Elizabeth Zane Chapter, visit the organization’s Facebook page.