Editor’s note: Click on the image above to view Secretary Jacobsen’s remarks honoring Governor Judy Martz during the statue unveiling at the Montana State Capitol.
HELENA, Mont. — Montana Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen joined hundreds of Montanans at the State Capitol on Monday for a statue unveiling to honor former Governor Judy Martz. Artist Gareth Curtiss created the full-size statue.
“May this statue be a constant reminder to all of us to live our best lives, to stick out our necks and make a difference, and to be a blessing to our families, our citizens, and our Montana,” Secretary Jacobsen said during Monday’s unveiling.
Martz served as Montana’s lieutenant governor in 1997 before being elected governor in 2000, beginning her term in January 2001. She was the first female in Montana to serve in each role. Before representing Montanans in the State Capitol, Martz and her family resided in Butte, where she and her husband were business owners and involved in various community roles.
A former Miss Rodeo Montana, Martz was also a world-class speed skater who competed nationally and internationally. She was a member of the U.S. Olympic Speed Skating Team during the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria. During the 1,500-meter speed skating race, Martz experienced an unfortunate fall but returned to the race and garnered a 15th-place finish.
“She taught us in that moment to remain focused and not let distractions prevent us from crossing the finish line; that we are human, and sometimes we fall,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “She got up and finished that race in 15th place, still higher than many other people she was competing against. This is a great lesson to always get back on our skates, to finish the job, and finish it well.”
Secretary Jacobsen was honored to speak during Monday’s dedication and joined numerous other elected officials, including the Governor and representatives from Montana’s U.S. Congressional delegation, in celebrating Governor Martz’s life and accomplishments.
“It’s fitting and deserving that Governor Martz has this statue placed in our beautiful Montana Capitol Building and that she be remembered and celebrated, not only as Montana’s first female governor but for all of her accomplishments,” said Secretary Jacobsen. “She brought common sense to the halls of this Capitol; she was faithful and wise in carrying out her responsibilities, and she shared her great faith and inspirational life with all of us.”
The statue of Gov. Martz, which was approved through Senate Bill 275 in the 2019 Legislature, can be viewed in Montana’s State Capitol building on the second floor near the Office of the Governor.
