Vietnam Women's Memorial: Facts About Sculptor Glenna Goodacre

Glenna Goodacre designed the Vietnam Veteran Memorial’s tribute to women and many other historical tributes. Goodacre’s sculptures garner millions of visitors every year. Her works mostly consist of bronze busts recognizing those not always given the honored spotlight.

Here are some facts about the artist.

1. Before turning to sculpting, Goodacre was a painter.
Today, many call Goodacre “America’s Sculptor,” having created more than 500 sculptures in her career. She has also done portrait commissions of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, Greer Garson, Katherine Anne Porter and Scott Joplin, according to Galleria Silecchia.

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2. She designed Philadelphia’s Irish Memorial.
In commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Great Hunger during which the potato famine in Ireland occurred, Goodacre was selected in 1997 to create a memorial in honor of the Irish immigrants who came to the United States, according to her website. The sculpture features part of a ship with immigrants on board. Her works are located in more than 25 states.

3. Goodacre’s work could be in your pocket.
The U.S. Mint issued a new golden dollar coin in 2000 depicting Sacagawea, the Native American interpreter and guide for Lewis and Clark. The image of the well-known leader was created by Goodacre, making her one of only a few independent artists to have artwork on a U.S. coin. A Shoshone-Bannock college student modeled for the coin, according to Galleria Silecchia.

4. She made a statue of Ronald Reagan.
One of her most significant contributions, she created the life-sized bronze statue of the president for The Ronald Regan Presidential Library. The sculpture depicts Reagan holding a cowboy hat and wearing a jean jacket.

5. She created the only women’s war memorial in the capital.
Goodacre’s Vietnam Women’s Memorial is her most recognized piece of work. It depicts three women caring for a wounded soldier in honor and memory of the female nurses who served overseas.

“My desire to create a lasting tribute to the American women serving in Vietnam is founded upon my deep respect for each of them, and my heartfelt payer for their ‘healing and hope,’” Goodacre told the Vietnam Women’s Memorial Foundation.

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