World War I marked a significant turning point in history, not just for global politics but also for women’s roles in society, particularly in the military. Before this era, military service for women was largely confined to nursing or required them to conceal their gender altogether. However, the Great War ushered in a new chapter, revealing the capabilities and dedication of women eager to contribute to the war effort beyond traditional roles. As the U.S. military expanded from approximately 650,000 at the war’s outset to nearly 5 million by its conclusion, the need for personnel diversified, opening unexpected doors for women.
The U.S. Navy took the lead in this shift, interpreting enlistment codes to include all “persons,” irrespective of gender. This interpretation paved the way for Loretta Perfectus Walsh to become the first woman to officially enlist in the military, not as a nurse, on March 17, 1917. By the war’s end, around 12,500 women had joined the Navy. Meanwhile, the Army maintained stricter gender roles, limiting women to clerical or nursing duties without official military status. The Marine Corps, however, facing a critical shortage of manpower for frontline combat, began to explore how women could fill vital support roles.
The Marine Corps Women’s Reserve: Birth of the “Hell Cats”
In 1918, the Marine Corps initiated investigations into integrating women into their ranks to release men for combat duties. Initial assessments indicated that women could potentially fill about 40% of office positions held by men. Interestingly, the initial assumption was that women were less efficient than men, with a proposed ratio of three women to replace two men. This perception was quickly dispelled as women proved their competence and efficiency in various roles.
On August 12, 1918, the Marine Corps officially announced the establishment of the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve. They sought women who were not only physically and mentally robust but also skilled in stenography and clerical work. The response was overwhelming. The very next day, throngs of women flocked to recruitment centers, eager to join this elite branch of the military. Opha Johnson, a 40-year-old woman already working at the Marine Corps Headquarters as a civilian, became the first woman to enlist. By the end of the war, Sergeant Opha Johnson had risen to become the highest-ranking enlisted woman in the Marine Corps.
The selection process for these women was notoriously rigorous. They were expected to be “100% Girls,” flawless in every aspect. Applicants had to provide three letters of recommendation, undergo interviews, pass medical examinations, and demonstrate proficiency in stenography and clerical skills. The standards were so high that from thousands of applicants, only 305 women were ultimately selected to become Marine Reservists.
Florence Gertler, a Private First-Class who served as a secretary, recounted the demanding stenography test administered by Colonel McLemore: “Applicants were interviewed by one officer and finally given a stenographic test. Colonel McLemore conducted the shorthand test and dictated so fast, that one after another left the room. Those who remained were taken, one-by-one, into Colonel McLemore’s office and told to read back their notes… If the Colonel was satisfied with our reading, we were required to type our notes and timed for speed and accuracy. More and more applicants dropped by the wayside, until only five of us were left.”
Nicknames and Respect: Forging a Path
Despite the demanding entry requirements, women in the Marine Corps received equal pay to their male counterparts of the same rank—a remarkable achievement at a time when women had limited opportunities outside the home and no voting rights. Throughout their service, these pioneering women earned various nicknames. Beyond “100% Girls,” they were also known as “Skirt Marines,” “Marinettes,” and most notably, “Lady Hell Cats.” Irrespective of these informal titles, they were consistently treated with respect, a recognition attributed to the uniform they proudly wore. The term “Lady Hell Cats,” while perhaps sounding playful, spoke to the spirit and tenacity these women embodied in their service.
Challenges and Triumphs: Service and Sacrifice
The path for these first female Marines was not without obstacles. Uniforms, hastily designed, were slow to arrive, and some women in more remote areas received none at all, resorting to creating their own. A formal dress uniform for women was not designed until 1950, decades after their initial induction.
Housing presented another significant challenge. Bases in northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., where most women were stationed, lacked adequate accommodation. While a housing stipend was provided, a severe housing shortage meant many women had to find their own lodging, often in cramped, expensive rooms with limited amenities and far from their fellow servicewomen. Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, wife of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., learning of their plight, arranged lodging for about 70 women in dormitories at Georgetown Preparatory School, complete with meals. This provision of food was crucial during wartime rationing and shortages, alleviating the difficulties many faced in finding consistent meals.
Legacy of the Lady Hell Cats
Following the armistice on November 11, 1918, orders were issued to discharge women Marines from active duty. Some remained as reservists, fulfilling their initial four-year commitment, while others received honorable discharges and returned to civilian life. Active recruitment of women ceased after World War I until February 1943, during World War II, when the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve was re-established. Remarkably, two women who had served as enlisted Marines in WWI re-enlisted as officers in WWII, demonstrating their enduring commitment.
Over the decades, countless women have followed in the footsteps of these pioneers, serving in the Marine Corps. Recently, for the first time, female Marines have joined infantry combat units, breaking yet another barrier. While each Marine’s journey is unique, all women who have served can trace their legacy back to the brave women who volunteered for the Marine Corps during World War I. These “Lady Hell Cats,” though they never left the country and rarely carried weapons, bravely forged a path for women in the military, transforming what was once a distant dream into a tangible reality. Their service and dedication laid the foundation for the integral role women play in the Marine Corps today, embodying the spirit of resilience and capability that defines the very best of the Marine tradition.
