Mary Louise Rasmuson, who joined the Women’s Army Corps when it was formed during World War II, rose to be its director under two presidents and later found a new life as a civic leader and philanthropist in the young state of Alaska, died on Monday at her home in Anchorage. She was 101.

Her death was confirmed by her family.

Mrs. Rasmuson was working as an assistant principal near Pittsburgh when World War II began. Her two brothers, George and Malcolm, had both joined the military, and Mrs. Rasmuson, eager to find a way to serve, became one of about 400 original officers selected for what was initially called the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps.

She spent her early years training new members at Fort Des Moines in Iowa, though at 5-foot-2 she struggled to match her marching stride with the rhythm of others at parades.

“I know music well enough to be aware when I’m out of step,” she told The New York Times many years later, after she was appointed director, “but my legs won’t stretch that far.”