The National Mall in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

A Legacy of Healing and Hope

National Mall and Memorial Parks

— Vietnam Women's Memorial —

A Legacy of Healing and Hope Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 24, 2022

1. A Legacy of Healing and Hope Marker

Inscription.

A Legacy of Healing and Hope. National Mall and Memorial Parks. , Who shapes the public memory of war and its veterans?, AT the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, that memory has been expanding since its dedication. The statue in front of you, the Vietnam Women's Memorial, brought women into the fold in 1993. It was the first memorial in the nation's capital that honored women's military service., Sculpted by Glenna Goodacre, the memorial depicts three women. They represent more than 265,000 military and civilian women who served around the world during the war. The eight trees that surround the memorial represent the eight military women who died in Vietnam. More than 50 civilian women also died during the war., The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, envisioned and led by Diane Carlson Evans, brought the memorial into being after a ten-year, grassroots effort. The memorial's portrayal of women in uniform illuminates historical experiences too often erased from the public memory of war.,

Sculptor's Intent , "The emphasis of this tribute is centered on (the women's) emotions: their compassion…anxiety…fatigue, and above all, their dedication., The photos from Vietnam often included stacks of sandbags. It seemed natural for a nurse , in a moment of crisis , to be supported by sandbags as she serves as the life support for a wounded soldier lying across her lap., The standing woman looks up, in search of a medevac helicopter, or perhaps, in search of help from God., The kneeling figure has been called 'the heart and soul' of the piece because so many vets see themselves in her. She stares at an empty helmet, her posture reflecting her despair, frustrations, and all the horrors of war., The soldier's face is half-covered by a bandage, creating an anonymous figure with which veterans can identify. Even though he is wounded, he will live. I want this to be a monument for the living." , , Glenda Goodacre

, [Captions:] , First Lieutenant Ann C. Cunningham USA, served two tours with the Army Nurse Corps. She worked as an operating room nurse in 1967-68 and 1969-70., Margo Looney served with the American Red Cross. She is pictured with US Marines in DaNang.

Who shapes the public memory of war and its veterans?

AT the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, that memory has been expanding since its dedication. The statue in front of you, the Vietnam Women's Memorial, brought women into the fold in 1993. It was the first memorial in the nation's capital that honored women's military service.

Sculpted by Glenna Goodacre, the memorial depicts three women. They represent more than 265,000 military and civilian women who served around the world during the war. The eight trees that surround the memorial represent the eight military women who died in Vietnam. More than 50 civilian women also died during the war.

The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, envisioned and led by Diane Carlson Evans, brought the memorial into being after a ten-year, grassroots effort. The memorial's portrayal of women in uniform illuminates historical experiences too often erased from the public memory of war.

Sculptor's Intent
"The emphasis of this tribute is centered on (the women's) emotions: their compassion…anxiety…fatigue, and above all, their dedication.

The photos from Vietnam often included stacks of sandbags. It seemed natural for a nurse — in a moment of crisis — to be supported by sandbags as she serves as the life support for a wounded
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soldier lying across her lap.

The standing woman looks up, in search of a medevac helicopter, or perhaps, in search of help from God.

The kneeling figure has been called 'the heart and soul' of the piece because so many vets see themselves in her. She stares at an empty helmet, her posture reflecting her despair, frustrations, and all the horrors of war.

The soldier's face is half-covered by a bandage, creating an anonymous figure with which veterans can identify. Even though he is wounded, he will live. I want this to be a monument for the living."
— Glenda Goodacre

[Captions:]
First Lieutenant Ann C. Cunningham USA, served two tours with the Army Nurse Corps. She worked as an operating room nurse in 1967-68 and 1969-70.

Margo Looney served with the American Red Cross. She is pictured with US Marines in DaNang.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Science & Medicine • War, Vietnam • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1993.

Location. 38° 53.441′ N, 77° 2.82′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in The

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), November 24, 2022

2. A Legacy of Healing and Hope Marker

National Mall. Marker is on Henry Bacon Drive Northwest south of Constitution Avenue Northwest (U.S. 50), on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5 Henry Bacon Dr NW, Washington DC 20245, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Vietnam Women's Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Vietnam Veterans Memorial (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); National Academy of Sciences (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named National Academy of Sciences (about 700 feet away); The Celestial Map (about 700 feet away); Albert Einstein - The Einstein Memorial (about 800 feet away); Not Forgotten (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Cost of Freedom (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 191 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 25, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.