Vietnam Women's Memorial

Vietnam Women's Memorial

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Public Transit, Trash/Litter Receptacles

The Vietnam Women’s Memorial stands just south of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall, honoring the thousands of women who served during the Vietnam War and recognizing their courage, sacrifice, and lasting contributions. Approximately 265,000 women served in the U.S. military during the Vietnam era, and about 11,000 served in country, most of them as nurses. Despite their essential roles in military hospitals, evacuation units, and support operations, women’s service was largely overlooked in the years following the war. The effort to create a memorial emerged in the 1980s, led by former Army nurse Diane Carlson Evans and the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project, which sought to ensure that women’s experiences and sacrifices were permanently acknowledged. After years of advocacy, Congress authorized the memorial in 1988, and it was dedicated on November 11 of that year.

The memorial was designed by sculptor Glenna Goodacre, whose figurative approach intentionally contrasts with the abstract design of the nearby Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Cast in bronze and set within a small, contemplative grove, the sculpture depicts three uniformed women caring for a wounded male soldier. One woman kneels beside him, fully focused on his injuries, embodying the intensity and precision of battlefield medical care. Another looks upward, her expression conveying vigilance, fatigue, and the constant anticipation of incoming casualties. The third stands slightly apart, holding a helmet and gazing outward, representing strength, leadership, and resolve. Together, the figures reflect not a single event, but the repeated, emotionally demanding reality faced by women in Vietnam.

The memorial’s symbolism is deeply personal and human. The women’s expressions convey compassion, professionalism, and emotional endurance, while the wounded soldier represents all those whose lives depended on their care. The upward gaze suggests hope, prayer, and uncertainty, capturing the psychological toll of war as much as its physical demands. Eight yellowwood trees surround the sculpture in honor of the eight servicewomen who gave their lives in Vietnam. The natural setting reinforces themes of healing and remembrance, while the permanence of bronze affirms the lasting significance of women’s service.

Together with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and its surrounding landscape, the Vietnam Women’s Memorial broadens the story of the war, ensuring that women’s experiences are fully integrated into the nation’s memory. It stands as both tribute and recognition, honoring service that was vital, often quiet, and long overdue for acknowledgment.