Honoring a Hidden Hero: Renee Messelin Remembered

The Hello Girls Military Honors and Remembrance Project (M-HARP), a program of the Doughboy Foundation, recently hosted a memorial dedication ceremony at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois, honoring World War I Army Signal Corps telephone operator Renee Messelin. The event followed the National Cemetery Administration’s installation of an “In Memory” marker recognizing Messelin’s military service and ensuring her legacy will be permanently remembered.

Messelin was one of the famed “Hello Girls,” comprising 280 women who trained, 223 of whom served overseas, as telephone operators for the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I. These pioneering women connected millions of calls for the American Expeditionary Forces and their allies in support of operations in France between 1918 and 1919. Although they took the Army oath and served in uniform, the Hello Girls were denied veteran status after the war and did not receive official recognition until 1979. By then most had passed away and their military service was not acknowledged at their gravesite.

The ceremony was especially significant because of a discovery made by M-HARP researchers in 2024. Genealogy research by M-HARP volunteers revealed that Messelin, believed at the time to be white and born in France, was actually a Black woman born and raised in Chicago who passed as white in order to serve in the Army during an era of racial segregation and exclusion. Her story highlights both the patriotism and the determination of African Americans who overcame barriers and answered their nation’s call to duty.

The ceremony brought together veterans, historians, civic leaders, and advocates committed to preserving the legacy of the Hello Girls. Acting Cemetery Director Matthew Ulrich welcomed attendees to Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, followed by Illinois American Legion Department Commander Celeste Latham who read a proclamation from the Mayor of Chicago. Retired Navy Captain and M-HARP researcher Diane Boettcher shared what is known about Messelin’s life and service, helping attendees better understand the woman being honored.

Additional speakers placed Messelin’s service into a broader historical context. Eileen Mitchell, President of AT&T Illinois, discussed the critical role telephone operators played in supporting the Army’s communications network during World War I. Clair Sassin, President and CEO of the Doughboy Foundation, reflected on the spirit of service that characterized Messelin’s generation and the importance of preserving World War I history. Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs Assistant Director Anthony Vaughn and Center for Women Veterans Executive Director Jacquie Hayes-Byrd spoke about the continuing evolution of veterans’ recognition and support for women who have served in uniform.

The program also highlighted the cultural and personal dimensions of the Hello Girls’ story with prelude music from 1918 titled “When Pershing Gets ‘Hello’ from Kittie Reilly’” (sheet music available from the Library of Congress here: https://www.loc.gov/resource/music.muswwism-200208499/?st=gallery), and a poem entitled “To the Telephone Girl,” written by Frances A. Johnson and read by M-HARP researcher Lisa Oberg offering a glimpse into how these women were viewed during the war. Attendees then heard a rare recording of Messelin’s voice from a 1930s episode of the radio serial Captain Midnight.

Performing under the stage name Renee Rodier, she portrayed the villain “Fury Shark” in the show (available online at https://www.otrr.org/OTRRLibrary/otrrlibrary.html?idp=1983 ). Carolyn Timbie, granddaughter of Chief Operator Grace Banker, and Donna Ayres, grandniece of Hello Girl Olive Shaw, concluded the historical presentations by reading the names of other Hello Girls with connections to Illinois. The dedication concluded with the laying of a wreath, a benediction, a rifle salute, the playing of Taps, and the presentation of a ceremonial flag.

More than a century after she answered her country’s call, Renee Messelin is finally receiving the recognition due to both a soldier and a trailblazer. M-HARP and the Doughboy Foundation continuously seek stories like Renee’s and to broaden our understanding of America’s role in the Great War.

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