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Image for event: The Women: The Story of Two Army Nurses in Vietnam

Register 98 Seats Remaining

The Women: The Story of Two Army Nurses in Vietnam

Living History Portrayal by Lynn Rymarz
2026-09-09 13:30:00 2026-09-09 14:30:00 America/Chicago The Women: The Story of Two Army Nurses in Vietnam Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C

Wednesday, September 09
1:30pm - 2:30pm

Add to Calendar 2026-09-09 13:30:00 2026-09-09 14:30:00 America/Chicago The Women: The Story of Two Army Nurses in Vietnam Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C

Des Plaines Public Library

Meeting Room B/C

Join storyteller and author Lynn Rymarz as she weaves the fictional story of Army Nurse Frances McGrath from The Women by Kristin Hannah and the true story of Army Nurse Lynda Van Devanter from her memoir Home Before Morning. 

Lynn Rymarz has entertained audiences with with her portrayals of historical women since 2005. As a storyteller, she enjoys sharing little-known stories. Her performances are told in the first person. 


Celebrating America 250

Sponsored by Age Options

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | America's 250th | Adult Program |

TAGS: | Performance | History |

Des Plaines Public Library
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The 1501 Ellinwood Street library building is the realization of a longheld dream of the library board, staff and community partners. Located in the heart of downtown Des Plaines, the four story, 82,000 square foot building represents the community's commitment to reading, lifelong learning, and a center for family activities. A grand central staircase and large windows provide a wealth of natural light and illuminate the building at night.

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SUBMIT HERE - The Canvas Photography Contest
Tue, Jul 21, All day
Des Plaines Public Library
Share your best photographs depicting our city, nature, and community. Winners will receive a prize! For ages 18 and up.  
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, Jul 21, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
FilmTalkTuesdays: Guys and Dolls (1955) - Registration required
Tue, Jul 21, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual via Zoom
Join us every other Tuesday to discuss a film from Hoopla or Kanopy.
SUBMIT HERE - The Canvas Photography Contest
Wed, Jul 22, All day
Des Plaines Public Library
Share your best photographs depicting our city, nature, and community. Winners will receive a prize! For ages 18 and up.  
SUBMIT HERE - The Canvas Photography Contest
Thu, Jul 23, All day
Des Plaines Public Library
Share your best photographs depicting our city, nature, and community. Winners will receive a prize! For ages 18 and up.  
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Jul 23, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Thursday Evening Book Discussion: Wake Now in the Fire - Registration required
Thu, Jul 23, 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
A staff member will lead a book discussion. Books are available at the 3rd floor info desk in the public library approximately 30 days in advance.
SUBMIT HERE - The Canvas Photography Contest
Fri, Jul 24, All day
Des Plaines Public Library
Share your best photographs depicting our city, nature, and community. Winners will receive a prize! For ages 18 and up.  
Walk & Talk: Team Des Plaines - Registration Required
Fri, Jul 24, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library
Join us on a "Walk & Talk" program with the Forest Preserves of Cook County!
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Walk & Talk: Team Des Plaines - Registration Required
Fri, Jul 24, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
New venue Des Plaines Public Library
Join us on a "Walk & Talk" program with the Forest Preserves of Cook County!
Friday Night Films - Sentimental Value
Fri, Jul 24, 6:30pm - 8:40pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A free screening of the international film Sentimental Value (Norway).
SUBMIT HERE - The Canvas Photography Contest
Sat, Jul 25, All day
Des Plaines Public Library
Share your best photographs depicting our city, nature, and community. Winners will receive a prize! For ages 18 and up.  
SUBMIT HERE - The Canvas Photography Contest
Sun, Jul 26, All day
Des Plaines Public Library
Share your best photographs depicting our city, nature, and community. Winners will receive a prize! For ages 18 and up.  
Teen Take & Make - Beaded Hair
Mon, Jul 27, All day
Des Plaines Public Library - 3rd Floor
Take & Make Kits are fun crafts you can take home and make on your own time. Drop in to pick up your kit throughout the month! Available while supplies last. For teens in grades 7-12.
SUBMIT HERE - The Canvas Photography Contest
Mon, Jul 27, All day
Des Plaines Public Library
Share your best photographs depicting our city, nature, and community. Winners will receive a prize! For ages 18 and up.  
Remembering Route 66 - Registration Required
Mon, Jul 27, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A nostalgia-packed lecture on Route 66 presented by historian Leslie Goddard, Ph.D.
This event is full
SUBMIT HERE - The Canvas Photography Contest
Tue, Jul 28, All day
Des Plaines Public Library
Share your best photographs depicting our city, nature, and community. Winners will receive a prize! For ages 18 and up.  
Teen Lanyard Keychains - Drop-in
Tue, Jul 28, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Join us in The Commons to make your very own lanyard keychains! For Teens in grades 7-12.
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, Jul 28, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
SUBMIT HERE - The Canvas Photography Contest
Wed, Jul 29, All day
Des Plaines Public Library
Share your best photographs depicting our city, nature, and community. Winners will receive a prize! For ages 18 and up.  
Clean Up Give Back
Wed, Jul 29, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Library Plaza
Des Plaines Public Library is teaming up with "Clean Up Give Back" to clean up garbage around the library.
SUBMIT HERE - The Canvas Photography Contest
Thu, Jul 30, All day
Des Plaines Public Library
Share your best photographs depicting our city, nature, and community. Winners will receive a prize! For ages 18 and up.  
SUBMIT HERE - The Canvas Photography Contest
Fri, Jul 31, All day
Des Plaines Public Library
Share your best photographs depicting our city, nature, and community. Winners will receive a prize! For ages 18 and up.  
SUBMIT HERE - The Canvas Photography Contest
Sat, Aug 01, All day
Des Plaines Public Library
Share your best photographs depicting our city, nature, and community. Winners will receive a prize! For ages 18 and up.  
Life Drawing at the Library 2026
Sat, Aug 01, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Canvas
Learn to draw the human body with a clothed model, located in The Canvas on the 4th floor. Drop in with no registration required; open to adults, seniors, and teens.  
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, Aug 04, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Aug 06, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Film Screening - Wuthering Heights (2026) / Registration Required
Sat, Aug 08, 1:30pm - 3:45pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A free screening of the feature film Wuthering Heights (2026).
Tuesday Morning Book Discussion: Wuthering Heights - Registration required
Tue, Aug 11, 10:00am - 11:00am
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
A staff member will lead a book discussion. Books are available at the 3rd floor info desk in the public library approximately 30 days in advance.
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, Aug 11, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Books & Boba @ Des Plaine's History Center - The Hunger Games
Wed, Aug 12, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
The Des Plaines History Center
Join us to talk books and tv shows; specifically, The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins! * Must be registered! For ages 13-19
Teen Crafternoons - Beaded Fish Bag Charms
Thu, Aug 13, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Open maker workshop. Sample our featured technology or bring your own project to work on. August Spotlight: Beaded fish bag charms. For teens in grades 7-12.
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Aug 13, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Friday Night Films - Lorne
Fri, Aug 14, 6:30pm - 8:15pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A free screening of the documentary film Lorne.
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, Aug 18, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
FilmTalkTuesdays: A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001) - Registration required
Tue, Aug 18, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Virtual via Zoom
Join us every other Tuesday to discuss a film from Hoopla or Kanopy.
Back To School - Ice Cream Social - Drop-in
Thu, Aug 20, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Join us for a back-to-school ice cream social, with a topping bar!
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Aug 20, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
SAT Practice Test
Sat, Aug 22, 9:00am - 1:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
Find out your starting score and identify your strengths and weaknesses by taking the SAT Practice Test presented by iAchieve Learning.
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, Aug 25, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Aug 27, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Thursday Evening Book Discussion: The Heartbeat Library - Registration required
Thu, Aug 27, 7:30pm - 8:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room C
A staff member will lead a book discussion. Books are available at the 3rd floor info desk in the public library approximately 30 days in advance.
Intercontinental - A Musical Journey to Europe, South America and Asia
Sun, Aug 30, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
Performance by chamber music group Quartet 61. Registration Required
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, Sep 01, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Book a Teen Librarian
Thu, Sep 03, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
Friday Night Films
Fri, Sep 04, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
A free screening of an international, independent or documentary film.
ACT Practice Test
Sat, Sep 05, 9:00am - 1:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room A
Find out your starting score and identify your strengths and weaknesses by taking the ACT Practice Test presented by iAchieve Learning.
Life Drawing at the Library 2026
Sat, Sep 05, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Canvas
Learn to draw the human body with a clothed model, located in The Canvas on the 4th floor. Drop in with no registration required; open to adults, seniors, and teens.  
Book a Teen Librarian
Tue, Sep 08, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Come in and get to know your teen librarians!
The Women: The Story of Two Army Nurses in Vietnam - Living History Portrayal by Lynn Rymarz
Wed, Sep 09, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Des Plaines Public Library - Meeting Room B/C
Storyteller Lynn Rymarz presents The Women: The Story of Two Army Nurses in Vietnam. / Registration Required
Happy Notes - Teen Volunteering Opportunity
Wed, Sep 09, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Des Plaines Public Library - The Commons
Earn service hours by making uplifting cards for hospitalized kids! Materials will be provided. For teens in grades 7-12.
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