Charlotte Winters, 109, Last Female World War I Veteran

The last surviving American woman to serve in World War I died yesterday at a nursing home outside Boonsboro, Md. She was 109.

Winters was also the oldest living female military veteran.

As America became involved in the war in 1917, the Navy opened support roles to women, and Winters and a sister were among the first to sign up.

Winters worked in a gun factory, and as a secretary. She was a yeoman second-class, or "yeomanette," when the war ended. Winters continued to work for the Navy in the District of Columbia, until retirement in 1953.

She was an 80-year member of the American Legion. "She could vote for post officer before she could vote as a U.S. citizen," said Legion spokeswoman Ramona Joyce.

Winters was chair of the the Legion's celebration of the 150th anniversary of the US Constitution celebration in 1936.

Ten American World War I veterans were alive as of the beginning of the year, but five have since perished.