Every Woman Over 16 Should Register for Service in WW I

From the October 11, 2017, MidWeek (DeKalb County, Illinois)  "Looking Back."

1917. 100 Years Ago.

"Every woman over 16 years of age should register for service in the war.  It is not compulsory but it is the first time that the United States Government has asked service of all women."

A bit confusing.  Was this to register for the draft?

I did find out in another source that during World War I women were allowed to join the military as nurses or support staff and that some 33,000 did.  More than 400 nurses died in line of duty.

--Cooter