Who Were the Hello Girls? All About WWI’s Switchboard Soldiers

I have read multiple books about the women, known as the Hello Girls, who served as telephone switchboard operators in the US Army during World War I. I am enamored of their story and yet cannot seem to find the words to talk about them and explain why exactly this story has such a hold on me. As such, I will share my collection of interesting facts, books, videos, etc. and simply beg you to check them out for yourself!

That said, my number one recommendation is The Switchboard Soldiers by Jennifer Chiaverini. This is by far the best story about these women. Do yourself a favor and read it!

Brief History of the Hello Girls

The Signal Corps Female Telephone Operators Unit, commonly known as the “Hello Girls”, was a unit of women who operated telephone switchboards, sworn into the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I. General “Blackjack” Pershing called for these women to be recruited and sent to France because the phone communication there was in chaos. The women who were recruited were all bilingual (French/English) and almost all had some experience working as a switchboard operator for American companies.

After the war, they were sent home and denied any status as veterans. Merle Egan, among other former Hello Girls who had served in the war, spent decades fighting the government for recognition, finally winning in 1977.

American telephone girls, members of the US Signal Corps, whose efficiency contributed to the success of the American troops in the capturing of St Mihiel. This exchange was within range of German shell fire. The gas masks and helmets are handy for emergencies.

Fun Facts

Just a few fun facts about the Hello Girls…

• At the start of the 20th century, 80 percent of all telephone operators were women, and they could generally connect five calls in the time it took a man to do one.
• More than 7600 women answered the initial call for operators, though fewer than 500 ended up in the Army
• Once in service, the women were connecting calls five times faster than the male soldiers had been doing it and could connect up to 300 calls per hour
• Grace Banker was the first and only woman operator in the Signal Corps to be awarded the Army’s Distinguished Service Medal
• Merle Egan led the fight – for decades! – for recognition as veterans for the women who had served
• The operating force actually achieved faster connection times during wartime than in large cities back home.
• By November 11, 2018, the Signal Corps was averaging 4,000 toll and 150,000 local calls every day and by war’s end, they had connected more than 26 million calls.

Sharing the Story of the Hello Girls

Despite fighting for nearly sixty years to receive their proper recognition, many people are still unaware of their story. In 2017, the first book about these women was published. Several more books as well as a documentary film and a musical followed over the next several years.

⇒ Read the entire article on the Behind Every Day website here:

External Web Site Notice: This page contains information directly presented from an external source. The terms and conditions of this page may not be the same as those of this website. Click here to read the full disclaimer notice for external web sites. Thank you.