The twenty and four
Honor Society of Women Legionnaires
The Twenty and Four was organized to recognize in a special way the achievements of female members of The American Legion. The men’s honor group, The Forty and Eight, remained firmly closed to women. The Eight and Forty was for members of The American Legion Auxiliary, therefore, women legionnaires organized The Twenty and Four as their “honor” society. Women members of The American Legion, in increasing numbers through their contributions of work, time and effort, have won elections and earned appointments to various offices in County, District, Division, Department and Area levels. Women Legionnaires have held National offices, and many more women Legionnaires have actively participated in all American Legion programs above and beyond the Post level.
Who is Eligible
For Membership?
A female member of The American Legion in good standing for a continuous period of at least twenty-four consecutive months immediately prior to date of application and whose dues for the current year have been paid, and who has, in the judgement of the Echelon, rendered outstanding service to The American Legion through active leadership as an officer, a committee chairman, or by continuous service in the programs of The American Legion.
Membership is solely by invitation and the Echelon will be the judge of nominees subject to the restrictions of the Echelon and National Constitution and Bylows.
All in The Name
LEvels, positions and logo
There were twenty women present at the first meeting of Echelon No. 1 in California and that number could be comfortably seated in four jeeps, so that number completed the name, hence the organization became The Twenty (women) and Four (jeeps).
The National organization is known as The Twenty and Four. It’s ruling body is called The Cadre and its conventions are known as Bivouacs.
Each local group is called an Echelon of The Twenty and Four and is given a number at the time a charter is granted to it.
The Head of the Society is the Director VIP. She has two Vice Directors to assist her; one with membership and the other with Ways and Means or money-raising programs. Her secretarial assistant’s title is The Aide. All members of the organization are called Jeepettes. Until they are initiated, or “snafued,” they are known as Yard Birds.
The colors chosen by the organization are the hues of the American Flag – red, white and blue. The emblem of The Twenty and Four is the famous World War II jeep, since it was universally known and used by all services.
