Moving and attending a new school — something Patty Parker experienced often as the daughter of a Navy recruiter and aviation ordnanceman. Parker found herself making new friends, and then losing contact after the next move. However, fate reconnected Parker with not one, but three childhood best friends through ALA Girls State. 
 
“We moved from Bremerton, Washington, to San Diego, California, to Whidbey Island, Washington, and back to Bremerton where he retired,” said Parker, ALA Washington Girls State 1966 participant. “Imagine my surprise at seeing both of my two best friends — one from first grade in Bremerton and another from sixth grade in Whidbey Island — at ALA Girls State the summer before my senior year of high school!” 
 
Rekindling those friendships was a cherished memory, but Parker took away even more from the experience. The program opened many doors and even the chance to co-write legislation. 
 
“Learning about government and the hands-on legislative experience of ALA Girls State paid exponential dividends,” said Parker. “As a result of attending ALA Girls State, I was fortunate to be selected to serve as a page for one day in the Washington state legislature during my senior year of high school.”
 
Parker credits the program for giving her an advantage in her career as a teacher, specifically learning about government and how to work well with others. “I was hired for every job I ever applied for, and many times, ALA Girls State was mentioned,” said Parker. “Seeing that on a resume immediately implies leadership and good character.” 
 
In 1991, she co-wrote a bill in Virginia. It all started after she and three others began an eight-hour Defensive Driver Improvement Program through the National Safety Council.
 
“I presented it to the commissioner of transportation for the state of Virginia to make it an option in lieu of a conviction for drivers charged with traffic offenses,” said Parker. “The commissioner liked the idea, and it went from there.” 
 
That led to a meeting with her senator and ended with the senator’s aide and Parker co-writing a bill about the program. The bill became a law after a unanimous vote.
 
“One year later, I spoke at the Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorneys Convention and presented the program as an option to conviction — or a possible reduction of points,” said Parker. “It was well-received, and judges began to offer it as an option.” Parker’s company, DriveSafe Inc., was the very first driver improvement school in Virginia. 
 
Her parents were members of The American Legion Family for more than 60 years. However, she didn’t become an Auxiliary member until 2024 when she joined ALA Unit 364 in Woodbridge, Va. Parker decided to become a member because of a dear friend and to get involved with ALA Girls State.
 
“My intent is to assist with the interviewing and selection of our local ALA Girls State Committee,” she said. “I have been blessed by my own personal experience, and I am looking forward to helping today’s young women do the same.”