When we discuss the Vietnam War, the narrative has traditionally centered on male combat veterans. The recent success of Kristin Hannah’s “The Women” in Hennepin County libraries represents more than just a popular book—it signifies a long-overdue cultural shift in how we recognize the contributions and sacrifices of women who served. Minnesota veteran Diane Carlson Evans’ role in shaping this bestseller highlights a profound truth: some of our most important historical narratives remain untold until those who lived them find the courage to speak.
Breaking Silence: The Power of Delayed Recognition
The celebration at Evans’ childhood farm in Buffalo, Minnesota—described as a long-overdue “welcome home”—reveals a disturbing pattern in how America has treated its veterans, particularly women who served. This delayed recognition isn’t merely a personal slight; it represents a collective failure to acknowledge the full spectrum of service and sacrifice during the Vietnam War. Evans’ initial reluctance to speak about her experiences mirrors the silence many veterans maintained for decades, creating a significant gap in our historical understanding.
This silence has had tangible consequences. The Department of Veterans Affairs has consistently struggled to address women veterans’ needs, with studies showing women veterans face unique challenges accessing care. A 2021 report from the Government Accountability Office found that the VA failed to consistently screen for and provide adequate care for conditions disproportionately affecting women veterans. The success of “The Women” demonstrates that when these stories finally emerge, they resonate deeply with the public—suggesting Americans are ready and eager to confront these overlooked narratives.
The Crucial Role of Authenticity in Historical Fiction
Evans’ insistence on honesty when reviewing Hannah’s manuscript highlights the responsibility authors bear when fictionalizing real historical trauma. Her condition—”I have spent my entire life working towards honoring these women and telling the truth”—serves as a powerful reminder that historical fiction doesn’t exist in a vacuum. When done carelessly, it can reinforce misconceptions; when done thoughtfully, it can illuminate forgotten truths.
The collaboration between Hannah and Evans demonstrates an ideal approach to creating responsible historical fiction. Rather than simply appropriating experiences, Hannah sought expert consultation and remained receptive to feedback. This stands in stark contrast to controversial works like William Styron’s “The Confessions of Nat Turner,” which faced criticism for its portrayal of enslaved people’s experiences without adequate consultation with Black scholars or descendants. The success of “The Women” proves that authenticity and consultation strengthen rather than constrain creative work.
From Monument to Mainstream: The Evolution of Recognition
Evans’ decade-long fight for the Vietnam Women’s Memorial represents the first stage in reclaiming women’s place in military history. That her advocacy led first to a physical monument, then to her own memoir, and finally to influencing a bestselling novel shows how recognition evolves across different platforms, each reaching different audiences.
The Presidential Citizens Medal awarded to Evans by President Biden acknowledges her persistence in challenging institutional resistance. Similar recognition has been slow in coming for other women who broke barriers in military service. The Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), for instance, waited until 1977 to receive veteran status despite flying military aircraft during World War II, and until 2009 to receive the Congressional Gold Medal. These delayed recognitions point to a systemic reluctance to incorporate women’s contributions into our national understanding of military service.
The Healing Power of Storytelling
Evans’ comment that sharing these stories “nourishes our soul” speaks to the therapeutic value of narrative. For veterans who experienced trauma, having their stories acknowledged can be profoundly healing. Research in narrative medicine and trauma studies consistently shows that articulating traumatic experiences—and having them validated by others—plays a crucial role in processing and integrating those experiences.
The popularity of “The Women” at Hennepin County libraries suggests this healing extends beyond individual veterans to communities and the nation as a whole. By confronting previously silenced aspects of our history, we engage in a form of collective processing. Similar phenomena occurred with works like Tim O’Brien’s “The Things They Carried” and more recently with Phil Klay’s “Redeployment,” which helped civilians understand the experiences of combat veterans.
Alternative Viewpoints: The Risks of Fictionalization
Some might argue that fictional accounts, even when well-researched, risk simplifying complex historical events or creating misleading impressions. Historical fiction, by its nature, blends fact with imagination in ways that can blur the line between what happened and what makes for compelling narrative. Critics might suggest that memoirs and historical scholarship provide more accurate windows into the past.
This concern has merit but overlooks how fiction reaches audiences that might never engage with academic history or memoirs. Hannah’s novel has likely introduced thousands of readers to the experiences of women Vietnam veterans who might otherwise remain unaware. Additionally, Evans’ involvement as a consultant demonstrates how fiction can be strengthened by first-person expertise, creating works that balance narrative engagement with historical responsibility.
The Road Ahead: Beyond Recognition to Reform
While celebrating the success of “The Women” and the recognition of Evans’ contributions, we must acknowledge that symbolic recognition alone is insufficient. Women veterans continue to face unique challenges in receiving appropriate healthcare, disability compensation, and support services. The Department of Veterans Affairs has made progress but still struggles with providing gender-specific care and addressing military sexual trauma.
The true measure of whether we value these stories will be whether they translate into tangible improvements in how we treat women veterans today. The popularity of Hannah’s book creates an opportunity to channel public interest into substantive policy changes and increased resources for organizations serving women veterans.
Conclusion: From Margins to Mainstream
Diane Carlson Evans’ journey from silence to advocacy to literary influence embodies a larger pattern in how marginalized histories eventually find their way into public consciousness. The success of “The Women” in Hennepin County libraries represents not just a popular book but a cultural milestone—the moment when stories once relegated to specialized memorials and academic studies reached mainstream audiences.
This transition matters because collective memory shapes policy priorities and cultural values. As Evans said, these stories confirm that “what we did really does matter.” The challenge now is to ensure that this recognition extends beyond bestseller lists to inform how we treat veterans of all genders, both in policy and in daily life. The question isn’t just whether we’ll read their stories, but whether we’ll learn from them.
