Diane Carlson Evans, RN, is the Founder of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation (formerly the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project), and former President and CEO of the Board of Directors. Today she serves as Chair, Vietnam Women’s Memorial/Eastern National Advisory Group and liaison to the National Park Service Regional Representative on the Mall, Washington DC. The Foundation was located in Washington DC. She testified before every Congressional and federal agency hearing in Washington DC regarding site and design approval for the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, was instrumental in developing the design competition Program for the Vietnam Women’s Memorial and for conceptualizing the three-day Patriotism and Courage celebration to commemorate the dedication in Washington DC. Evans currently volunteers for the Eastern National and National Park Service efforts on behalf of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. Evans participates in educational activities throughout the United States, speaking at universities and schools and before civic and humanitarian organizations. Her work today focuses on readjustment services for veterans.
Diane Carlson Evans envisioned the idea for a memorial to honor over 265,000 women who served during the Vietnam war. A former Army combat nurse and Vietnam veteran she led the ten-year struggle to complete the circle of healing with the placement of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial. Although the eloquent wall of names at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC lists the names of eight women nurses who died in Vietnam, Evans felt deeply that the memorial, with its statue of three fighting men, did not acknowledge adequately the women. In her words, “…women are also soldiers. Women also need to heal. Their service is worthy of honor and recognition.” That recognition took place on November 11, l993 with the dedication of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.
In 1984, Evans incorporated the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Project as a non-profit organization. Its mission encompasses three broad objectives: to place a Memorial honoring the women who served during the Vietnam war at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC; to identify the women who served, document their needs and facilitate research to address those needs; and to universally educate about the service of women during the Vietnam war.
Evans, a former Captain in the Army Nurse Corps, is a native of Minnesota and graduated as a registered nurse from St. Barnabas Hospital School of Nursing in Minneapolis, MN. During her six years in the military, Evans served in Vietnam (l968-69) as a trauma nurse in the surgical and burn wards at Vung Tau, and later as head nurse in a surgical unit at Pleiku.
Currently Ms. Evans resides in Montana with her husband. She is the mother of four children and has seven grandchildren.
Heidi Baruch, Diana Nyad, and Diane Carlson Evans.
Diane returned to Vietnam in 1998 with World T.E.A.M Sports on a reconciliation and humanitarian mission. Bicycled 1200 miles from Hanoi, along the South China Sea, to Vung Tau, to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Visited hospitals and schools along the way. Provided monetary assistance to the Bak Mai Hospital in Hanoi. Inducted into World T.E.A.M. Sports Hall of Fame.
Among Evans Awards and Recognition:
Presidential Citizens Medal, President Joseph R. Biden, January 2025.
Honorary Doctorate Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters from Haverford College, Pennsylvania
Honorary Doctorate Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters from Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, Connecticut
Honorary Doctorate Degree: Doctor of Humane Letters from Carroll College, Helena, Montana
“Patriot Award” by The American Legion Washington DC
“Advocate of the Year” National Association of Sate Directors of Veterans Affairs
“Governor’s Excellence Award”, State of Minnesota
“Outstanding Civic Achievement Award” by the USO, Washington DC
“Vietnam Veteran of the Year” award from the Wisconsin Vietnam Veterans of America
“Woman Agent of Change’ by the AAUW (American Association of University Women)
“Woman of Distinction” by the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders
“Woman of the Year, Jesse Bernard Award” Center for Women’s Policy Studies, Washington DC
“National Special Service Award” by BRAVO (Brotherhood of all Veterans Organizations)
“Veteran of the Year Award” by VIETNOW
“Service to Mankind” Award by the SERTOMA Club
“Gold Medal of Merit” by the Veterans of Foreign Wars
The Lillian D. Wald “Spirit of Nursing” Award, New York City
“Medal of Honor” by the Daughters of the American Revolution, Washington DC
World T.E.A.M. Sports Hall of Fame Inductee, Vietnam Reconciliation Athletic Event
Sigma Theta Tau International Honorary Membership Award
Montana Amnesty International Human Rights Award
Rolling Thunder National Award for Dedication to POW-MIA Issues
Distinguished Service Award C Company, 2nd 27th Wolfhounds, 25th Infantry Division
60 Minutes, CBS, 1989, The Forgotten Veterans, Interview with Morley Safer
60 Minutes II, CBS, 1999, The Forgotten Veterans, ten-year follow up interview with Morley Safer
Participant and consultant for Emmy Award Winning Documentary: Vietnam Nurses with Dana Delany, aired on WE Television and other networks
Professional and Veteran Organizations:
Rotary International * Paul Harris Fellow
National Association of Female Executives
Philanthropic Education Organization
Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Sorority
The American Legion
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Disabled American Veterans
Vietnam Veterans of America
AMVETS
Rolling Thunder
