They Met as WWII Typists in 1941. Now 109, These Two Best Friends Reveal the Real Secret to Reaching a Century

Two centenarians who first crossed paths during World War II have unlocked an extraordinary milestone together: turning 109 side by side. For 109-year-old best friends Velma Long and Dorothy Boggess, reaching supercentenarian status boils down to balanced living, regular physical activity, and one non-negotiable rule of character.

While many search for medical breakthroughs to halt aging, Long and Boggess point toward a grounded lifestyle anchored in an eight-decade partnership. Their story began in Washington, D.C., during the Roosevelt administration, long before modern longevity studies took off.

From the WWII War Department to Eight Decades of Sisterhood

The duo met in 1941 after entering the federal workforce as typists for the War Department, which is known today as the Department of Defense. Arriving in the nation’s capital as young women, they faced unfamiliar territory alongside the immense pressure of wartime mobilization.

“It was very exciting,” Boggess recalled to The Washington Post. “I didn’t know anyone at all in Washington, D.C.”

That initial workplace meeting sparked an enduring friendship that survived eight decades of historic shifts. The two women navigated courtship, double dates, marriage, and raising families together across the twentieth century.

“We’ve both lost so many close friends. It’s amazing that we’re still functioning.”

Boggess made history as one of the original five African American “War Girls” hired into the War Department’s typing pool in 1941. She spent a decade at the Department of Defense before pivoting her career to public service as a social worker and vocational rehabilitation counselor, eventually retiring in 1976.

What Really Drives Centenarian Longevity?

There is a widespread misconception that living past 100 requires extreme diets or elusive genetic luck alone. The lived experience of Long and Boggess illustrates that sustainable daily habits combined with deep social bonds carry immense weight.

Long revealed to CBS News that while the pair keeps a few personal secrets close to the vest, their core routine relies on consistent movement, balanced nutrition, and genuine empathy toward others.

• Daily Movement: Staying physically active every day rather than remaining sedentary.
• Nutritious Eating: Prioritizing wholesome meals as an everyday baseline.
• Active Compassion: Practicing daily kindness as the ultimate foundation for mental wellness.
• Lifelong Social Support: Leaning on a trusted community through personal triumphs and grief.

Dorothy Boggess: A Century of Community Impact

Boggess celebrated her 109th birthday on May 30 and received formal honors from the Ward 4 Senior Social Hub for her lifetime of dedication to the Washington, D.C., community. Alongside an honorary doctorate from Kentucky State University, she built a celebrated family legacy.

She married George Boggess in 1942, enjoying 74 years of marriage before his passing at age 104. Together, they raised their son, Kenneth, welcomed two grandchildren, and documented their extensive travels in her 2002 book, I Wish You Were Here.

Maintaining high cognitive and physical function past age 100 remains rare, yet both women continue to draw strength from the sisterhood they established during wartime America. Their ongoing bond proves that human connection is a critical component of enduring health.

💬 Reaching 109 with your lifelong best friend by your side is an unmatched achievement.

✨ What do you think is the biggest key to a long, joyful life?

👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments below and share this inspiring story with your friends!