Rebekka Eshler

Rebekka Eshler was born in Orange, Calif., and raised in Oregon by her grandmother. After college, Rebekka joined the U.S. Army and became a Fire Support Specialist Paratrooper stationed in Alaska, where, even before transitioning, she was embraced by the LGBTQIA community.

After leaving the service, Rebekka delayed her transition to pursue a degree at the University of Alaska Anchorage. While at UAA, Rebekka continued her service to other as President of the UAA Student Veterans of America Chapter President and working as a volunteer for Mobile Medics International, and organization that provides medical response to natural disasters and humanitarian crises around the world.  During this time, Rebekka came out as a trans woman in 2018, reconnected and became a voice to speak out on behalf of the Anchorage LGBTQIA community. As the first openly transgender SVA UAA Chapter President, to working at the homeless shelter as an EMT, Rebekka wasn’t afraid to speak up and make sure that everyone received equal treatment.

After graduating in 2020, Rebekka joined the board of Transgender American Veteran Association as the Director of Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations. In this role she built relationships with other Veteran organizations and LGBTQIA organizations. Rebekka represented her state as Miss Trans Alaska 2022 and won Miss Congeniality at the national Miss Trans USA 2022 pageant. She is currently serving as the National President of The Transgender American Veteran Association. 

Rebekka was an Oregon American Legion Boys State participant sponsored by Milwaukie Post 180.