I Am The American Legion - Johanna Jenkins

A district cap and Native American beadwork complete Johanna Jenkins’ American Legion uniform, symbols of what’s important to her.

The first female veteran on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation in northeastern Utah, Jenkins is proud to be a Ute and proud to be a Legionnaire.

“The tribe is my family,” she says. “As I’ve become more involved in The American Legion, it’s like having a second family.”

In 2009, Jenkins joined Post 126 at Fort Duchesne, participating in the color guard. Four years later, she served as commander.

Last year, a past department commander and other mentors encouraged Jenkins to take on a bigger role: overseeing seven posts as district commander. 

“I wouldn’t be where I am now if they hadn’t approached me and given me the confidence and trust I needed to lead,” she says.

She’s eager to help revitalize the Legion in her part of the state, and hopefully inspire other women to step up as leaders.

“We’re here,” she says. “We served just like men. We’re not in the back anymore. We’re coming to the front.”