Opha May Johnson was first woman in the United States Marine Corps

On August 13, 1918, the United States Marine Corps opened its ranks to women for the first time in its history. The country was in the final months of World War I, and the demand for personnel was higher than ever. By allowing women to serve in non-combat roles, the Marine Corps could free more men to fight overseas.

The first woman to take that step was Opha May Johnson. At 40 years old, she became the very first woman to officially enlist in the Marine Corps. Johnson had already been working for the Corps in a civilian capacity as a clerk, so she was familiar with the military environment. When the opportunity came to serve in uniform, she was quick to sign up.

Women who enlisted at the time served mainly in clerical and administrative positions. They handled paperwork, kept records, and performed vital support tasks that kept the Corps running efficiently. This change was significant because the Marine Corps had been the last of the U.S. military branches to allow women to enlist, following similar moves by the Navy and the Army.

By the end of World War I, more than 300 women had enlisted in the Marine Corps. Most returned to civilian life after the war, but their service set an important precedent. Opha May Johnson and her fellow Marines proved that women could contribute directly to the mission of the Corps, paving the way for greater opportunities in the decades ahead.

From that first enlistment in 1918, the role of women in the Marine Corps steadily grew. Today, their service is an integral part of Marine history, and it all began with Johnson’s decision to step forward.

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