Women's History Month 2003 kicks-off at 12 noon, March 4, at the Women In Military Service For America Memorial with a discussion and book signing by Jan K. Herman, author of Battle Station Sick Bay: Navy Medicine in World War II. The event is the first in a series of "brown bag" lunch programs hosted by the Women's Memorial Foundation in celebration of Women's History Month.

Herman, a master narrator who never fails to breathe life into his subject and characters, makes Battle Station Sick Bay no exception. The Naval Bureau of Medicine and Surgery's historian, he's had the privilege of personally meeting with his featured heroes to record and share their remarkable stories. Thanks to his skill, guests will delight in discovering such uncelebrated players as Katherine Van Wagner, one of the Navy's first flight nurses to land on an active battlefield, as well as Dr. Henry Heimlich who'll reveal how a failed chest surgery performed on a wounded Chinese soldier inspired the lifesaving maneuver that made his name a household word.

Other Women's Memorial Women's History Month events include the world premiere of the film Above and Beyond: 100 Years of Women in Aviation on March 11; Quilts from the Heart, a program and personal tour of the quilts made around the world in response to the attack on the Pentagon, on March 18; and a discussion and book signing with Jean Ebbert and Marie-Beth Hall, authors of The First, The Few, The Forgotten - Navy and Marine Corps Women in World War I, on March 25. Each is scheduled from 12 noon to 1 PM. Guests should bring a brown bag lunch and a friend. Those interested in attending any or all of the events are encouraged to reserve a seat by calling 703-533-1155 or 800-222-2294.

The Women’s Memorial, located at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, is readily accessible by Metro (Blue Line) and paid parking is available.

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