After the formation of The American Legion in 1919, a number of women's organizations wanted to become the official affiliation of The American Legion. The women who had provided service and support to the soldiers fighting in World War One wanted to continue to do so. After careful consideration, the committee agreed that a new organization should be made up of the women most closely associated with the men of the Legion, and that these women would serve with the Legion, in peace as they had in war.

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The committee decided to build a new organization from the ground up, so the Auxiliary could then carry forward the phases of Legion activities more suitably performed by women. Edith Irwin Hobart served as the Auxiliary's first president. In less than one year, 1,342 local units of the Women’s Auxiliary to The American Legion had been organized in more than 45 states

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The American Legion Auxiliary is made up of the male and female spouses, grandmothers, mothers, sisters, and direct and adopted descendants of members of the American Legion. Through its nearly 10,500 units located in every state and some foreign countries, the Auxiliary embodies the spirit of America that has prevailed through war and peace.  Along with The American Legion, it solidly stands behind America and its ideals.