102-year-old WWII veteran champions women in the military
CHERRY HILL, New Jersey (WPVI) -- 102-year-old May Brill, a WWII veteran from South Jersey, has blazed a trail for generations of women who have served in the military in the past 80 years.
Born in Philadelphia, Brill had two brothers who joined the military.
"I said, what's the matter with me," she remembers. "I said, it's my country, too."
Brill joined the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) and was stationed in the supply corps in California. She shipped food, medical supplies, and other equipment to other service members.
After a couple years, Brill returned home and met her husband. Over the years, they had children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Brill also became a college graduate at the age of 50.
Brill has developed a resume that is simply larger than life. She has been involved with Jewish War Veterans, New Jersey Veterans Memorial Home in Vineland, Katz Jewish Community Center in Cherry Hill, and much more.
She joined forces with fellow female veterans to create a project titled, "Women Veterans are Not Invisible," in which they created military caps to wear every day.
In 2024, she was named the Camden County MLK Freedom Medal Winner.
And on May 13, 2026, Brill celebrated her 102nd birthday with family and friends at Mission BBQ in Cherry Hill.
Watch the video above to see what message she has to share.
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