Who was the Marine Corps first enlisted woman?

Who was the Marine Corps first enlisted woman?

• A. Opha May Johnson
• B. Mary Edwards Walker
• C. Annie Grayson
• D. Margaret Taylor

Answer: (A)

In Marine Corps history, the first enlisted woman represents the moment women formally entered the Marines as enlisted personnel. Opha Mae Johnson joined on August 13, 1918 at Parris Island as a clerk in the Marine Corps Reserve, becoming the first woman to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. This milestone opened the door for women to serve in uniform in the Marines and set the pattern for future generations of female Marines. The other names come from different contexts—Mary Edwards Walker was a Civil War surgeon, not a Marine, and the remaining two are not recorded as the Marine Corps’ first enlisted woman.

In Marine Corps history, the first enlisted woman represents the moment women formally entered the Marines as enlisted personnel. Opha Mae Johnson joined on August 13, 1918 at Parris Island as a clerk in the Marine Corps Reserve, becoming the first woman to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps. This milestone opened the door for women to serve in uniform in the Marines and set the pattern for future generations of female Marines. The other names come from different contexts—Mary Edwards Walker was a Civil War surgeon, not a Marine, and the remaining two are not recorded as the Marine Corps’ first enlisted woman.