This interview originally aired on In the Moment on SDPB Radio.
Courtney Steffen became the second-ever woman to hold the title of State Legion Commander in South Dakota.
The American Legion works to provide resources to veterans and their families. By continuing to advocate for her fellow veterans, Steffen said she is able to still feel a sense of comradery that she missed after retiring from the air force.
Female leaders are few and far between in the veteran community. Commander Steffen hopes that her appointment will show other women that leadership roles are in fact possibilities for them.
Steffen acknowledged a generational gap between draft-era Vietnam veterans and post 9/11 veterans. She encouraged people to going groups such as the American Legion to be a part of a voice that invests in the veteran community.
