Amendment to expand American Legion Auxiliary membership

By Tim Engstrom
Minnesota Auxiliary President Linda Kelly, Past President Robin Dorf and Secretary Christie Avant glance at the camera during the 105th ALA National Convention in Louisville.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A resolution passed at the 107th American Legion National Convention amended the American Legion National Constitution. The majority voted aye, but there were nay votes, too.

The final text must be reviewed by the national judge advocate, according to American Legion Collection Services Librarian Linna Agne, before it is final.

Submitted by Maryland, it calls for amending Article XIII, Section 2. It defines membership in the American Legion Auxiliary.

The current wording says “grandmothers, mothers, sisters, spouses and direct and adopted female descendants.” The proposed wording is “grandparents, parents, siblings, spouses and direct and adopted descendants.”

There is more to it, such as “two degrees of consanguinity.” In short, this expands Auxiliary eligibility. Husbands of veterans already are eligible to join the Auxiliary. This expands it to brothers, fathers and sons.

It will create overlapping membership paths, where members might find themselves in the Auxiliary and Sons of The American Legion. On the other hand, members pointed out, it already is quite common to have dual membership in branches of the Legion Family.

Minnesota America Legion Auxiliary Department Secretary Christie Avant said the Auxiliary National Convention also passed a resolution to amend the Auxiliary’s national constitution.

“It looks like they are implementing it right away,” she said.

Perhaps the judge advocate has said OK.

The Auxiliary put out this statement on Sept. 10: “At the 2026 American Legion National Convention, delegates adopted new membership eligibility language for the American Legion Auxiliary — expanding eligibility and allowing more family members to join the ALA. The Legion has authority over the ALA’s membership eligibility; this gender-neutral language change allows more people into our organization — strengthening our ability to better serve our veterans, military, and their families. The eligibility changes are effective immediately.”