This week marks the 100th anniversary of women being allowed to join the United States Marine Corps.

Opha May Johnson was almost 40 years old when she joined the Corps as a rapid-fire typist on August 13th, 1918. She, along with 300 other women, filled open jobs as male Marines left for theater. Though a clerk, she was expected to drill just like other Marines.

A century later, women continue to set new milestones in the Marine Corps. This year, the first female infantry leader 1st Lt. Marina Hierl took command of a platoon with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, stationed in Australia. She is one of only two women to ever graduate from the Infantry Officer Course.

When Hierl was asked why she wanted to join the male-dominated service, she replied, “I wanted to be part of a group of people that would be willing to die for each other.”

Bob Lennox / MOAA

MOAA's director of government relations for veterans benefits, Marine Corps Reserve Lt. Col. Aniela Szymanski, comes from a long line Marines. Her father, uncle, and godfather all served, so it was no surprise when she was commissioned.

She wanted to make a difference, and couldn't think of a better way than joining the Marines.

"I am really encouraged that one-hundred years ago, this one woman [was] brave enough to start day one of this hundred-year journey"

"If I had to give advice to other young women who were thinking of joining the Marine Corps, I would tell them to follow their dreams and to make sure that if there is a desire that they have in their heart, they follow it, regardless of what others say."

Katie Lathrop is the Digital Content Specialist at MOAA and the daughter of a currently serving Army Officer. Follow her on twitter @Katie.F.Lathrop.