Federal Unit #19 was chartered by the Department of Maryland on May 19, 1935. The first President was Winnie Smith, and since then, twenty-seven women have become President of Unit #19 (see full list below). Throughout the years, the members of Auxiliary Unit #19 have established and supported programs that have benefited our veterans and community. Always a partner with the comrades of Post #19 and Squadron #19, in the late 1980’s, Unit #19 President Molly Alderman along with Post #19 Commander Raymond Gough Auxiliary, and SAL Squadron #19 Commander Jesse Curtis gathered members of the Post #19 family to burn our mortgage, which was completely paid off after years of perseverance.

Among our many endeavors each year, members of Unit # 19 collect and distribute blankets and winter gear for the homeless and Christmas baskets for those in need. Along with the Legion and Elks, we organize a Back-to-School Block Party that distributes more than 300 book bags with school supplies to neighborhood youth, and our members volunteer their services at MCVETs and the VA Hospital. We collect puzzle and word game books for our hospitalized veterans to help them occupy the many hours away from home. We also serve our first responders, and we give them small gifts of kindness from candy on Valentines Day to coffee and donuts on Patriots (9/11) Day to let them know that we care. And of course, we take care of one another like our Blue Star and Gold Star Mothers and especially those who for whatever reason can’t get around like they used to.

While our commitment to Post #19 is unwavering, we also support the District and Department levels.  Three of our Past Presidents, Rosetta Lipscomb, Joyce Brown (Cooper), and Yvonne Oliver, served as president for the Baltimore District, and in 2014, Joyce Brown (Cooper) became the first woman from Unit #19 to become ALA Department of Maryland President. We have also served in every capacity as District and Department officers and have chaired and served on many Department committees including Americanism, Children & Youth, and Veterans Affairs and Rehabilitation. Both Cooper and Oliver have also served on Regional and National committees. We help raise money for Girls State, and several members of Unit #19 volunteer each year as advisers for the week away at Girls State. 

Under the leadership of current Unit President La’Sharan Wallace, who steadfastly upholds the Four Pillars of The American Legion, the future looks bright for the members of Federal Unit #19.  We will continue to strive to become one of the best Auxiliary Units in Maryland and will continue to be a family with the Legionnaires of Federal Post #19 and the Sons of Federal Squadron #19.  

Past Presidents: Winnie Smith, Anna Wilson, Nettie Gantt, Carrie P. Milburn, Rose Conyer, Selina Cole, Mary Awkward, Nancy Stevens, Edna Beckett, Helen M. Washington, Laura Wilson, Florence Kerr Evelyn Hughes, Alice Ruth Harvey, Mary Carson, Molly Alderman, Ernestine Graham, Marie Wilson, Estelle Mason, Jean Carwile, Rosetta Lipscomb, Joyce Brown, Carol Hector, Gina Jones, Yvonne Oliver, Gina Jones, and La’Sharan Wallace.

Auxiliary Officers on the next page