Celebrate Women of Service - American Legion Post #40

    Beginning March 8, a day dedicated to celebrating women, the ALA Foundation invites you to mark your calendar for an extraordinary event. On this special day, the ALA Foundation aims to honor and recognize the remarkable contributions of the women in our lives. Check this page often as women will be added as they are recognized by the ALA Foundation.
   The ALA Foundation has been a beacon of support for over 15 years, funding initiatives that directly serve those who have dedicated themselves to our country. Your generosity will help fund programs that positively impact the lives of veterans, military, and their families both locally and nationally.
   Support the ALA Foundation’s mission to assist veterans, military families, and those who have sacrificed for our country by donating to the ALA Mission Endowment Fund.
   Give online here or text WOMAN to 1-844-940-3450 to donate today.
   To learn more about how the ALA Foundation is putting your donation to work, visit www.ALAFoundation.org and click “about us.”
Gratefully,

Cathe MacInnes, Foundation President

HARRIET TUBMAN

  The extraordinary Harriet Tubman—a woman whose bravery and dedication shaped history. While Tubman is best known for leading enslaved individuals to freedom through the Underground Railroad, her contributions extended beyond that. During the Civil War, she served as a cook, nurse, and spy for the Union Army, using her intelligence network to gather critical information. She made history as the first woman to lead a military expedition, helping to free 750 enslaved men, women, and children during a daring raid along the Combahee River in South Carolina—all without the loss of a single Union soldier.

   Despite her service, Tubman was paid only $200 for three years of work and was denied a pension for her spy efforts. Yet, she remained committed to serving others, dedicating her life to supporting formerly enslaved individuals and the elderly.

REAR ADMIRAL GRACE MURRAY HOPPER - Trailblazer, Innovator, and “Amazing Grace”

   As we continue to Celebrate Women of Service, we recognize the extraordinary legacy of Rear Admiral Grace Murray Hopper—a pioneer in both the U.S. Navy and the world of computer science.

   Known as "Amazing Grace," Hopper joined the Naval Reserves in 1943 during World War II and became a key programmer for the Mark I computer, one of the world’s first large-scale computers. Her contributions didn’t stop there—she was instrumental in developing the COBOL programming language, a foundation for modern computing. She even coined the term “computer bug” after removing a moth from a relay in the Mark I system.

   Hopper’s remarkable 43-year naval career saw her rise through the ranks, culminating in her promotion to Rear Admiral at the age of 76 by special presidential appointment. By the time of her passing in 1992, she had received more than 30 honorary doctorates, a naval destroyer was named in her honor, and she was widely celebrated as a mentor, innovator, and leader.

CORONEL EILEEN COLLINS - Trailblazer in the Skies

   As we continue to Celebrate Women of Service, we honor Col. Eileen Collins, a trailblazer in aviation and space exploration. From a young age, Collins was captivated by the power and grace of flight, a passion that led her to break barriers in the U.S. Air Force and NASA.

   Collins began her military career in 1979, serving as a T-38 flight instructor before becoming a C-141 Starlifter aircraft commander and instructor pilot. She later became an Air Force Academy professor and a distinguished graduate of the Air Force Test Pilot School. Selected by NASA in 1991, she made history in 1995 as the first woman to pilot a space shuttle and again in 1999 as the first female commander of a shuttle mission. Throughout her career, Collins logged over 5,000 flight hours, spent more than 537 hours in space, and inspired countless future aviators.

ADMIRAL LINDA FAGAN – Breaking Barriers at Sea

   As we continue to Celebrate Women of Service, we honor Adm. Linda Fagan, a trailblazer in the U.S. Coast Guard and the first woman to lead a U.S. armed forces branch. With nearly 40 years of service, Fagan’s leadership shaped the future of the Coast Guard, ensuring operational readiness, modernization, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.

   A 1985 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Fagan made history as the service’s first female four-star admiral. She served in key leadership roles, including Vice Commandant, Commander of the Coast Guard’s Pacific Area, and Sector Commander of New York, where she oversaw one of the nation’s busiest ports. A marine safety officer by training, she spent more than 15 years as a marine inspector and served aboard the heavy icebreaker Polar Star.

   Throughout her career, Adm. Fagan remained committed to recruiting and retaining top talent, ensuring that the Coast Guard reflects the diversity of the nation it serves. Her leadership paved the way for future generations of women in the armed forces, leaving an enduring legacy of excellence, innovation, and service.

Bea Arthur - From Marine to TV Icon

   As we continue to Celebrate Women of Service, we honor Bea Arthur, best known for her roles in Maude and The Golden Girls, but also a proud veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

   Enlisting in 1943 at just 21 years old, Arthur served as a truck driver and typist in the Marine Corps Women's Reserve, rising to the rank of staff sergeant. Her bold personality and determined spirit—once described as “officious” and “over aggressive” in her enlistment interviews—helped her break barriers both in service and on stage.

   After her military career, Arthur became a celebrated Broadway and television star, using her sharp wit and commanding presence to captivate audiences. Her journey from a Marine Corps veteran to a beloved television icon demonstrates the far-reaching impact one woman can have across multiple generations.