POST FALLS — Women’s service in the U.S. Armed Forces is often overlooked when it comes to recognizing veterans. 

Idaho American Legion Department Commander Dee Sasse said that, even with the rise in women’s leadership in the American Legion, female visibility as veterans remains a struggle.

"On the civilian side, it's not as easily spotted that we may not be veterans as well," Sasse said.

The Post Falls resident and founding member of Rathdrum American Legion Post 154 said she recently encountered someone who asked only her boyfriend whether he was a veteran. He didn't extend that question to her, and the interaction ended.

"He automatically assumed I wouldn’t be the veteran," Sasse said.

American Legion 143 is looking to change that dynamic by saluting female service members through a support group for women veterans. 

It is hosting two meet-and-greet sessions for active, inactive or reservists at 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wednesday in the media room at 1138 E. Poleline Ave., Post Falls. Renel Duvall will lead the group. 

Sasse served 22 years in the Coast Guard and has been pleased to see more and more women rising through the ranks of the American Legion.

Sasse is the first woman from Kootenai County elected to the Idaho American Legion Department Commander and the only third woman to hold the position in more than 100 years of the Idaho Legion's history.  

The American Legion has officially recognized that women have served in every American war or conflict since the Revolutionary War. Some have gone as far as disguising themselves as men to break down gender barriers. 

Introduced on June 12, 1948, the Women's Armed Services Integration recognized women as full members of the armed forces, allowing them to claim the same benefits as men.

Sasse said that although a better understanding of medical gender differences is being applied when it comes to treatment and better representation has been a much-needed relief for female veterans like her, there is still a long way to go.

"We've had women on the frontlines. It’s not an all-boys' club anymore. We have women driving trucks out there with the IEDs," Sasse. "We're here to do a job."

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