arts & entertainment

Women can be heroes. Not a surprising statement today. In the 1960s however? Unimaginable. The Women, by Kristin Hannah, offers the story of one woman gone to war as a nurse in Vietnam, and it shines a light on all women who put themselves in harm’s way, whose sacrifice and commitment to their country has too often been forgotten. A novel about deep friendships and bold patriotism, The Women is a richly drawn story with a memorable heroine whose idealism and courage under fire will come to define an era.

Kicking off the season’s first Book Review Breakfast at 9:30am Monday, Nov. 3, Michelle L. Auton, U.S. Army Veteran Service Offices, will review The Women, by Kristin Hannah. The Book Review Breakfast is in the Richardson Center of Indian River State College, 6155 College Lane, Vero Beach. Sponsored by the AAUW-Vero Beach, the Book Review Breakfast is free and open to the public.

Michelle graduated from high school in 1989 and enlisted in the United States Army later that same year. Serving first as a nuclear weapons specialist in Germany, Michelle later qualified as a combat medic, serving the 24^th Infantry Battalion in Fort Stewart, Georgia.

After her service, Michelle shifted to specializing in senior care in the skilled nursing and assisted living settings as a National Certified Dementia Practitioner, National Certified Montessori Dementia Care Professional and a State Certified Assisted Living Administrator. Today, Michelle continues to serve as a Veteran Service Officer and passionate Veteran Advocate, dedicating countless volunteer hours to support her fellow veterans and their families throughout the community. Her commitment to service didn’t end with her uniform, it simply evolved into a new mission: standing beside those who served.

AAUW-Vero Beach has been sponsoring Book Review Breakfasts as a service to the community for 40 years. The event is free and open to the public, and people are encouraged to bring new or gently used children’s books to help stock the four Little Free Libraries that they maintain. AAUW-Vero Beach is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.