On Thursday, July 16, 2026, friends and supporters of Renee Messelin will gather at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL. Renee has an “In Memory Of” marker at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. She was a remarkable woman, soldier, leader, and after the war, a stage, screen, and radio actress. Renee served as a supervisor in the first unit of the US Army Signal Corps Telephone Operators (Hello Girls) that sailed overseas on March 6, 1918.
The Hello Girls
The Hello Girls were sworn into the U.S. Army Signal Corps as telephone switchboard operators in World War I playing a vital role in the ending of the war. This group of 223 women were the first female soldiers in the U.S. and served with valor operating the telephone systems for the U.S. Army. General John Pershing remarked that their service helped shorten the war by a year.
When these brave women returned home, they were told they had not served in the Army, despite wearing uniforms, taking Army oaths, and previously being told, “You’re in the Army now.”
The Hello Girls fought for more than 60 years to get their veterans status, with more than 50 bills being introduced into Congress that did not pass. Finally, in 1977, bipartisan legislation passed and was signed into law by President Jimmy Carter. However, most of the Hello Girls did not live to see the day of this victory; and those who did weren’t given veteran benefits or back paychecks.
Renee Messelin
Two years ago, M-HARP researcher Diane Boettcher discovered that an African American woman served as a Signal Corps Telephone Operator. Renee Messelin – born Ellarane Caldwell – turned out to be the only daughter of a prominent African American couple in Chicago. (See Diane’s original article here.) This year, after further research by Diane and many other members and friends of M-HARP, a more complete picture of Messelin’s life has emerged. Read more about this amazing woman who served her nation in disguise, and the appropriate recognition and honors being planned for her in Chicago in July.
Supervisor Renee Messelin, US Army Hello Girl.
The ceremony is free and open to the public.
Order of Program
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