Eligibility for membership in the AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary shall be limited to the mothers, wives, grandmothers, regardless of age, and to the daughters, stepdaughters, sisters and granddaughters, not less than 18 years of age, of regular members of AMVETS; and to the mothers and widows, regardless of age, and to the daughters, sisters and granddaughters, not less than 18 years of age, of deceased veterans who would have been eligible for membership in AMVETS, and female veterans who served honorably in the Armed Forces of the United States after September 15, 1940, or as an American Citizen in the Armed Forces of Allied countries after September 15, 1940, and before May 8, 1975, who maintain their AMVET membership unless they meet the established eligibility criteria.  The term mother shall be construed to include any female member of the family, or any female guardian of such person or deceased veteran, who has exercised or is exercising the care and responsibility for the rearing of such person or deceased veteran.