Contributions of WWI female soldiers too often forgotten 

By Carl J. Asszony
via the Morris County, NJ Daily Record newspaper web site

March is designated as Women’s History Month. It is the time we recognize and honor the many contributions of the American women. Their skills, sacrifices, and courage have added to the well-being, growth, and defense of this country. Their contributions have often been forgotten or overlooked. Such is the case of one special group of women whose story is one of heroism and betrayal.

The U.S. Army's “Hello Girls,” put through over 100,000 calls a day while operating their switchboards under difficult conditions during WWI.It was the time of World War I. The commander of the American forces, General John J. Pershing, needed a way to quickly transmit urgent military information. The telegraph messages were too slow getting to the front lines and radios were large, bulky, and difficult to haul about.

Pershing decided he wanted civilian trained telephone operators, such as those from the Bell Telephone company, who could speak both English and French. Their job would be to transmit communications via telephone, while serving in the Army Signal Corps near the front lines of battle.

Although thousands applied, only a few hundred were accepted. After several months of military training they boarded ships at Hoboken and headed for France. Despite the fact they didn’t yet have the right to vote these women volunteered for this hazardous duty to serve their country in time of need,. (Voting laws wouldn’t change until 1920).

These women, referred to as the “Hello Girls,” put through over 100,000 calls a day while operating their switchboards under difficult conditions. They often performed translations of English and French during inter-communications. Many were exposed to the dangers of war by being within a few miles of the combat.

Read the entire article on the Morris County, NJ Daily Record newspaper web site here:

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