History of the American Legion Auxiliary:

       For nearly every man in WWI who endured the dangers and hardships of camp, shore and battlefront, there was a woman serving at home to help make possible America’s victory – his wife, mother, daughter, sister or granddaughter.   The war was won, and men and women of the armed forces banded together in The American Legion to carry forward their services to the country in peacetime.  It was only natural that the women of their families should desire to continue to serve with them.  The result was the American Legion Auxiliary, the largest and most influential women’s organization of its kind in the world today.    

      At the 1937 National Convention Girls State was organized as a National Americanism activity. Girls State is a practical application of Americanism and good citizenship.  The program is a non-partisan, non-political attempt to teach and inculcate in the youth of America a love of God and country.   A National Committee to direct the program was created by the 1946 National Convention.

     The Auxiliary Organization is composed of local Units, Department (State) and National (Headquarters located in Indianapolis, IN).  A member of the American Legion Auxiliary is a member of a local Unit. This is where all the work of programs are put into action by our auxiliary members in their communities. 

     Eligibility for membership in the American Legion Auxiliary is limited to women who have direct personal connection with service in WWI, WWII, Korean, Vietnam War, or conflicts in Lebanon, Grenada, Panama or Operation Desert Storm/Gulf War/War on Terrorism.  The mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, granddaughters, great granddaughters and grandmothers of members of The American Legion (if Legionnaire is living) / The mothers, wives, daughters, sisters, granddaughters, great-granddaughters and grandmothers of those who served in the Armed Forces of the United States during any of the eligibility periods listed above –died in the line of duty or received an honorable discharge and died after such service.  Women who are eligible for membership in the American Legion in their own right are also eligible for The American Legion Auxiliary (they can hold duel-membership in both organizations).  Junior members of The American Legion Auxiliary are members from birth up to age 18.  At age 18 she is then Senior Status membership.

       The American Legion Auxiliary believes there is no better way to assure the survival of our country than to train our young people in the ideals and objectives of American government.  By teaching youth to understand and appreciate the basic principles involved in the successful management of a democratic society, we can keep the distinguished and long-standing objectives of The American Legion Auxiliary Rhododendron Girls State.     The American Legion Auxiliary believes there is no better way to assure the survival of our country than to train our young people in the ideals and objectives of American government.  By teaching youth to understand and appreciate the basic principles involved in the successful management of a democratic society, we can keep the distinguished and long-standing objectives of The American Legion Auxiliary Rhododendron Girls State.

     They are accomplished through a unique summertime program, one that does not emphasize classroom lectures or textbook learning, but participation and personal experience in a model state, complete with its governing bodies and elected public officials. 

      Girls State teaches that our form of government works and that its preservation depends on intelligent, informed and loyal citizens in combination with an honest and impartial administration of government activities. 

      Young women chosen to be Girls State Citizens can look forward to a challenging experience, acquiring a better understanding and deeper regard for our nation's legacy of freedom and democracy.

      The mission of  Girls State  is to provide an outstanding unique and coveted educational opportunity to the young women of our nation that instills the basic ideals and principles of American government through the Girls State and Girls Nation citizenship training programs.
       

     The West Virginia Rhododendron Girls State program was started in 1941 under the sponsorship and direction of the American Legion Auxiliary Department of West Virginia. The WV American Legion had started Mountaineer Boys State two years earlier. The program and organization were incorporated under the laws of West Virginia. A Board of incorporators and a Board of Directors establishes policies and supervises its direction and promotes its continuance. More than 26,000 West Virginia students have benefited from its training and the annual participants have grown from156 to 375 in 2005.

The Rhododendron Girls State Session was held at Jackson Mills from 1941 until 1996 when it was moved to Wheeling Jesuit University. There were no sessions held in West Virginia in 1943 and 1945 due to war restrictions.  Mrs. R.E.Warman of Morgantown was named the first director and with Auxiliary volunteers initiated the program that may students has enjoyed for over 67 sessions.  Since 1997, Mrs. lrene Weber from Berkeley Springs has been Director and Rosemary Thomas from Fairmont serves as Assistant Director. The all-volunteer staff is comprised of American Legion Auxiliary members, former Girls State citizens, instructional and support personnel.

  
       The Week of Girls State – is a fast pace week.  What the citizens do in 5 days to set up City, County and State government and do community activities takes months if not years to do in real life.  Every year is never the same.  There are 350-400 different students, different talents, different personalities different skills  and they all make each Girls State Session very unique in itself.  This is the only time in your life that you will experience this and only 400 students  per year from the entire state of West Virginia has this opportunity.   Even if you have no desire to run for any political office – come with fun in your heart, work with others in your community running for office, enjoy the opportunity you have to meet other students from other schools and making friendships that will last a life time.  No matter what college or university you attend --- this program is nation wide and you will meet someone that has attended Girls State.