The REAL Women of Vietnam with Nancy Lynch In-Person
Inspired by best-selling author Kristin Hannah’s hit historical novel, The Women, award-winning journalist Nancy E. Lynch presents The REAL Women, Veterans of Vietnam on May 15 at 12:30 p.m. at the Central Library of Rochester, 115 South Ave. in Rochester, N.Y. April 30, 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.
Nancy will share REAL war letters from REAL nurses and a REAL Donut Dolly that she received from the combat zone and published in her popular News Journal newspaper column, Nancy’s Vietnam Mailbag, from 1968 to 1972. Lynch compares their REAL experiences to those of Hannah’s fictional Army nurse, Frankie McGrath, a privileged Californian who served two tours in Vietnam after a family tragedy—and found a path forward.
Contrary to public perception, about 10,000 REAL military women served in Vietnam. Not all were nurses. Barred from combat, they also worked in communications, intelligence, and administrative jobs. Hundreds of REAL civilian women also volunteered for duty in Vietnam and served as Donut Dollies with the American Red Cross, and in various positions with the Army Special Services, USO, and as news correspondents. “Women can be heroes” was a revelation to the fictional Frankie but a non-negotiable reality for the REAL women who served, and died, in Vietnam.
Lynch promised in her last column in December 1972 to someday put the nearly 1,000 war letters and hundreds of pictures she received in a book to honor all Vietnam veterans. Mission accomplished on Veterans Day 2008 with the release of her award-winning Vietnam Mailbag, Voices From the War: 1968-1972, available after her program for $40.
Since 2009, Lynch, whose maternal grandparents lived in Canandaigua, has presented her salute to Vietnam veterans in the Finger Lakes. She has written seven books, all non-fiction, and lives in Bethel, Del.
- Date:
- Thursday, May 15, 2025
- Time:
- 12:30pm - 2:00pm
- Time Zone:
- Eastern Time - US & Canada (change)
- Location:
- Central - Kate Gleason Auditorium
- Library:
- Central Library
- Audience:
- Adults All Ages Seniors
- Categories:
- Department - Arts & Literature Department - Science, History & Technology Lecture Author Talk Book Talk History Lecture Women's History