Includes bibliographical references (pages 934) and index.

"The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., is one of the most famous memorials in the world. But most people are not as familiar with the college student who won the design competition to build it. This volume chronicles Maya Lin's childhood, her battle to create the memorial as she envisioned it, and the body of work she has produced since then. This biography of a young woman who became a visionary artist and activist is also a celebration of the role of women and minorities in American society--past, present, and future"--,Provided by publisher.