Two American Nonagenarians, Inseparable Friends Since World War II

American friends Dorothy Boggs and Phyllis Long share an extraordinary friendship spanning more than 80 years, having met during World War II when they moved to Washington, D.C., to contribute to the war effort as administrative employees for the U.S. government. Both Boggs and Long were born in 1917 and are now over 109 years old. They remain in good health and highly active, a remarkable feat considering that only 0.03% of the U.S. population lives to age 100 or beyond, placing them in an extremely rare category.

Although their advanced age has made frequent in-person meetings more difficult, Dorothy and Phyllis speak on the phone almost daily, make a point of celebrating their milestones together—especially their birthdays—and meet at the synagogue whenever circumstances allow. The friends are committed to exercising and maintaining a healthy diet. Dorothy still begins her day with exercises and dancing in her kitchen. Phyllis learned to swim at age 69, an achievement she considers one of the proudest highlights of her life.

Their bond deepened further due to a family connection: their husbands were first cousins, and the close relationship between the two men meant the families spent extensive time together, whether at social gatherings or during trips and travels.

Despite their focus on sports and healthy eating, Dorothy and Phyllis emphasize that social life and continuous interaction with others are the fundamental secrets to longevity, stressing the importance of friendship and human relationships in maintaining vitality and happiness. Throughout their lives, they have maintained a broad social network by participating in church activities, neighborhood events, social clubs, and women’s organizations, as well as traveling after retirement and staying in constant touch with their children, grandchildren, and friends.

Dorothy and Phyllis are among the small minority of Americans who have surpassed the age of 100. They are also part of a limited group of surviving women known as “Rosie the Riveters,” a title given to women who joined the U.S. workforce during World War II to replace men who had gone to the front lines.