Above: Patricia Harris (in the U.S. Army woman veteran hat) with others. 


American Legion Auxiliary member and Legionnaire of the Department of North Carolina Patricia Harris has quite a few accolades: She served in the military for 22 years, was the first Black woman to hold multiple national leadership roles in veteran spaces, received an ALA Women of the Year Award in 2019, was inducted into the Military Hall of Fame in 2025, and is the founder and director of Women Veterans Support Services Inc.
 
 
Thank you for your service! You were in the military for 22 years. Is there anything you want to share about your military experiences? 
Thank you! My 22 years of military service taught me resilience, leadership, sacrifice, and the importance of teamwork. Serving during the Persian Gulf War and alongside so many dedicated servicemembers reinforced my commitment to continue serving others beyond the military, especially veterans and military families in need.
 
What does The American Legion Family mean to you? 
As a second-generation Legionnaire and Auxiliary member, The American Legion Family means a lifelong commitment to patriotism, service, and community. Watching my parents serve through the Legion taught me values that continue to guide my life today. It showed me that our oath and service do not end when the uniform comes off — they continue through helping others and strengthening our communities.
 
What inspired you to create the nonprofit Women Veterans Support Services Inc.?
I was inspired after seeing the unmet needs of women veterans and military families in crisis. As a veteran, I understood the challenges many faced and wanted to build an organization that provided compassionate, culturally competent support, housing assistance, and hope during difficult times.
 
Can you describe the nonprofit? 
Women Veterans Support Services Inc. is a North Carolina-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting women veterans, active-duty women, and military families through crisis assistance, emergency housing, advocacy, peer support, and resource referrals. It is also the first nonprofit dedicated to this purpose and for domestic violence/sexual assault. 
 
What do you feel is the biggest issue facing women veterans today? 
Access to comprehensive, trauma-informed health care and support services. At Women Veterans Support Services Inc., we also recognize the urgent need to address domestic violence and sexual assault within our military and veteran communities. Like The American Legion, we believe women veterans’ health and safety must remain a national priority because these issues impact not only individuals, but entire families and communities.
 
What does it mean to you to be helping your fellow female veterans in such a personable way?
As a female veteran and survivor of domestic violence/military sexual trauma, helping other women veterans is deeply personal to me. I understand the importance of safety, health, and healing after trauma. My passion is helping veterans and their families stay together, become empowered through education and support, and move forward toward healing and stability.
 
What advice would you give to other American Legion Family members who may be interested in helping their local women veterans? 
My advice is to ensure women veterans feel seen, heard, and respected. Take time to listen, communicate with compassion, and actively invite them to become involved and connected within The American Legion Family and community.