Department President carries on family tradition, encourages others

By Georgia Chambers

Department President Barb Washburn has been a member of the American Legion Auxiliary for 40 years, but became involved with Girls State more seriously after her daughter attended four years ago.

As a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, Washburn heard about Girls State and volunteered a
couple of times with filing and elections, but Washburn attributes much of her knowledge about Girls
State to her daughter’s experience.

“I found out quite a bit more about it because she told of all the stories when she came back,” Washburn said.

Washburn’s daughter experienced countless opportunities at Girls State, and she said her daughter was outgoing in sports, but a little bit shy overall before attending. However, Girls State helped Washburn’s daughter find her voice.

“I saw her come back from Girls State… She had made a lot of new friends, had more confidence in her public speaking, more knowledge of politics in general… I saw her grow and become confident and poised…,” Washburn said.

After seeing the development of her daughter through Girls State, Washburn became involved through the Auxiliary itself and became Department President through her passion for the organization.

“I love our mission, which is serving our veterans, supporting them, advocating for them. [I love] the
programs that we are involved in,” Washburn said.

Also, in honor of her father who was a World War II veteran, Washburn felt it her duty to help. Both her father and her mother were involved in the organization, and Washburn has carried on the tradition.

As of now, Washburn is just involved with Girls State, but not Girls Nation. She hoped that the citizens this year had a similar experience as her daughter’s was four years ago.

“I hope they learn some leadership skills, more confidence speaking in front of groups, making life-long friends and hopefully learning more about what the American Legion Auxiliary does as an organization beyond Girls State— the good that we are able to do across a lot of different programs that we support,” Washburn said.

Even though Washburn does not attend Girls Nation, she would take the opportunity if offered to her.

“I think it would be fun, especially to see the people from Nebraska that go and to be able to see them
at that national event and to see them all do well,” Washburn said.

Overall, Washburn was here to encourage girls to pursue their passions and to help them develop into
independent young women. Moreover, Washburn hoped to spread appreciation and knowledge of the
American Legion Auxiliary.

“I thought maybe I could make a difference,” Washburn said, “…and being able to maybe invite younger women to become encouraged to belong and not just think it’s a bunch of old ladies with grey hair.”