American Legion Auxiliary

The American Legion Auxiliary (ALA) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1919, dedicated to supporting The American Legion and honoring the sacrifices of U.S. veterans, military personnel, and their families. The ALA is the largest women's patriotic service organization in the world and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Mission

In the spirit of Service, Not Self, the ALA's mission is to enhance the lives of veterans, military personnel, and their families both domestically and internationally. The organization advocates for veterans, educates citizens, mentors youth, and promotes patriotism, good citizenship, peace, and security[1][2][3].

History

Following World War I, numerous women's organizations expressed interest in affiliating with The American Legion. However, a committee decided to create a new organization comprised of women closely associated with Legion members. This led to the establishment of the Women’s Auxiliary to The American Legion, which was later renamed the American Legion Auxiliary at its first national convention in 1921[1][3][4].

By 1920, over 1,342 local units of the Auxiliary had been formed across more than 45 states[3]. The organization experienced significant growth, particularly during World War II, as enrollment rose to nearly 500,000 by the early 1940s and peaked at over 1 million members in 1955[3]. Today, the ALA has more than 600,000 members across the United States and multiple foreign countries[2][3].

Programs

The ALA implements various programs focusing on:

• Veterans and Military Support: Providing services for veterans, such as stand-downs and rehabilitation support.
• Youth Development: Offering scholarships and leadership opportunities through programs like ALA Girls State, which teaches civic engagement and allows girls to experience firsthand how the federal government operates[4].
• Family Support: Assisting military and veteran families through community events and service projects.
• Advocacy: Promoting legislative priorities that benefit veterans and their families[4].

Notable Activities

The ALA is well-known for distributing red poppies to raise awareness and funds for veterans' needs. The organization also participates in events like care package distributions to deployed troops and visits to hospitalized veterans[1].

Governance and Structure

Membership in the ALA includes spouses, children, siblings, and other relatives of U.S. war veterans. As of 2019, eligibility for membership was expanded to include male spouses of veterans, aligning with updates to The American Legion's constitution[4]. The organization operates through thousands of local units, supporting communities globally[3].