Capital Campaign

The Governor Judy Martz Memorial Statue

A statue of Governor Martz has been authorized by the Montana Legislature, signed by Governor Bullock, to be placed in the Montana Capitol.

This privately funded bronze - strong like Judy - will stand as a permanent reminder that here in Montana we look to and are inspired by the women who make a difference in our communities.

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34 Years Serving Montana

Our Mission

Since the first settlers came rolling across Montana’s vast, rugged landscapes strong women have played central roles in our history. But it wasn’t until Judy Martz, born to humble beginnings and working-class values, came along that we were able to finally shatter the glass ceiling to the highest and most powerful job in Montana - the Office of the Governor.

This trailblazing leader was fearless - never seeking opportunity because she was a woman, but rather to make a difference in the lives of her fellow Montanans.

The path for trailblazing women has never been easy. When a pioneering Montanan named Jeanette Rankin became the first woman to ever serve in Congress, she once had to barricade herself in a phone booth following her vote against entering WWII until she could be escorted to safety.

Some 60 years later - and 111 years after Montana became a state - Judy Martz earned the right to lead Montana after the 21 men who came before her. And her path wouldn’t be easy either. Her term as Governor would face many challenges and she knew that the path would be a lonely one.

Still, she persisted.

Judy Martz

Never forgot who she was working for or why she sought to serve Montanans.

She passed the largest tax relief in two generations, created the Office of Economic Opportunity to implement her JOBS program, led the charge on the Healthier Forest Initiative for her colleagues at the Western Governors Association and became a champion for remediating environmental sites like Libby and the Milltown Dam.

34 Years Serving Montana

She loved Montana, and she loved Montanans even more.

Today, we seek to forever memorialize Judy’s groundbreaking leadership - not only to remember her historic first, but to inspire future generations of little girls, young women and female professionals that under this Big Sky anybody can be anything if they believe in themselves and their power to make a difference in our state and in our world.

This statue must be funded entirely with private funds. Furthermore, if the Statue is not in place in the Capitol by October 1, 2024 this authorization expires. We have a lot of work to do and raising the funds necessary to provide this tribute to Governor Martz is the first order of business. We ask that you consider making a contribution toward our efforts as soon as possible. Checks should be made to the Montana History Center and also put Martz Statue Fund in the memo line. Checks can be mailed to Montana History Fund, Box 1585, Helena, Montana 59624. The Montana History Center is a 501(c)3 entity and your donation is a tax deductible as allowed by law. Corporate contributions are allowed and welcomed.

Please help give Governor Judy Martz, Montana’s first female Governor, the recognition she deserves.

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