Lise's Lens: March 28, 2024
My entire post this week was inspired by Women’s History Month, and the various things that came to mind for me as I was reading Kristin Hannah’s The Women. I am interested in the ways women are ignored and heard, and understanding what past experiences were for so many women in both their personal and professional lives as we celebrate where we are today. There is still a journey ahead, but it’s built on some pretty awesome women’s shoulders.
WHAT I’M READING
- Do you have a pile of books on your bedside table that you are waiting for the right occasion to read? Well, contrary to some folks, I usually look forward to long plane rides so I can immerse myself in one of those books. For my 13-hour return plane ride from Japan I picked The Women by Kristin Hannah. I had never read anything by her, but it’s a book that I’ve been meaning to read for two reasons. The first reason is in honor of a person very dear to me who was posted in Malaysia during the Vietnam war, who was a great storyteller. She used to share how she and her husband helped to create a place of respite for American troops. The second reason I wanted to read this book was in honor of women’s history month! I found it to be an incredible deep dive into what it meant to be an army nurse at that time. I mean, M.A.S.H. did try to bring that to life for us but what it didn’t do is go deep into the psyche of the women who served both during their time of service, and when they returned to the USA.
WHAT I’M THINKING/TALKING ABOUT
- While reading The Women by Kristin Hannah, two things kept churning in my mind.The novel follows the young Frances “Frankie” McGrath, who comes of age as a combat nurse in Vietnam. When she returns to Coronado, CA, they do not consider her a veteran, and she is unable to find any VET services available to her. Frankie isn’t heard or supported by the public services she needs. It reminded me of how sometimes, women can feel so isolated in spaces that, though meant to serve, remain clueless to the female experience. This ranges from medical services, to the design of public bathrooms, to the C Suite.The second thing I kept thinking about is the Vietnam War Memorial. The novel ends around the early 80s and moves for a short period to Washington, DC. In 1982, I was headed to Georgetown University, and that was the exact year of the inauguration of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Speak of controversies! That beautiful memorial that is so beloved today was designed by a woman (already one strike against it) and someone of Asian descent, Maya Lin and after fighting the Vietcong, this was the last thing many vets wanted. I could go on and on about that.
WHAT I'M WATCHING/LISTENING TO
- I am planning to watch the 1995 documentary, Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision (1994). Written and directed by Freida Lee Mock, the film won the Oscar for best documentary. I haven’t watched the whole thing yet, but I really enjoyed this powerful three-minute clip. Even at such a young age, she was so wise!
WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE
I can’t get over this picture of Mount Fuji that I took on the flight to Japan during Mod Break for our Kakehashi Exchange.
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