PPL Reads Women's History Biographies: Maya Lin

March is Women's History Month. Though we read and value contributions from women year-round, March is a special month to pay attention to the stories women tell, stories of being diminished, ignored, or discounted but also stories of resilience, strength, inspiration, and hope. This is a month to reflect on how many women have faced extra barriers in their rise to the top of their fields by virtue of their sex.

It's important to recognize that the intersection--or meeting--of different diversities changes how women's stories are met. A woman's race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity, and physical or mental ability (among other identities) may change how people perceive their stories and accomplishments. As we move through the month and into the rest of the year, we must not simply pay attention to the history of any one type of woman, but celebrate the history of all kinds of women.

Today's historical figure is Maya Lin, the architect and artist behind the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial. Though she was only a student at the time, her design was chosen out of hundreds of submissions and is still the site of thousands of visitors every year. Sarah Mari of Portland Public Library is reading Maya Lin: Artist-Architect of Light and Lines, written by Jeanne Walker Harvey and illustrated by Dow Phumiruk, published by Henry Holt and Co.