After doing some research on switchboards, I came across a website about the "Hello Girls". These were women who were accepted into the Army during WWI to control the switchboards. They were the main communication to and from the different countries during the war.
What made this story interesting was after the war was over the women tried to get their honorable discharges they were declined because only "men" were sworn into the Army, not women.
After 60 years of trying to receive their honorable discharges and fighting for their right, the remaining women were recognized for serving in the war and named the first veteran women of the U.S. Army. They are still not recognized in history books, but it is interesting how they are linked to research about switchboards.
After 60 years of trying to receive their honorable discharges and fighting for their right, the remaining women were recognized for serving in the war and named the first veteran women of the U.S. Army. They are still not recognized in history books, but it is interesting how they are linked to research about switchboards.
Here is the link to the story.
I had never heard of the Hello Girls before. To think that they weren't highly regarded enough to recieve honorable discharges when they were readily accepted into the army and then played such a big part in the communication between countries. It's a disgrace that it took 60 years for the ladies to recieve their honorable discharges. You've come a long way baby.
ReplyDeleteThis is the first I have heard of the Hello Girls. With the progress that we have made in this country, you would think that giving these women an Honorable Discharge should have happened long before their 60th anniversary. Another great form of communication. The fact that it helped the efforts of the WWI could only help the US. The 10 women who refused to leave their posts because the building they were in caught fire...I don't know if thats brave or stupid. I guess what they were doing was not giving up the fight. We have come along way from telephone switchboard operators. Now when you need a phone number and dial 411 you get a recording, then a person. Sometimes you have to hang up before you can actually reach a live person because your request to a machine was not understood. Those ladies were very brave to go off to war, espceially considering the era. Women's opinions didn't count back then.
ReplyDeleteMy grandparents met because they both worked for Bell Telephone, only that was in the 20's and 30's, not during WW1. Those jobs were extremley important in keeping in contact with different units on the battle-ground. Their recognition came 60 years too late.
ReplyDeleteThe Hello Girls played a big part in the war. They helped relay information alot quicker than in any other form of communication. Women played a big part in both WW1 and WW2 with communication and everything else that goes along with the war. Good job with the correct information. I like the picture too!
ReplyDeleteIt is an absolute disgrace that it is perfectly acceptable to have women in the army is there is a need but once the war is over not to give them an honorable discharge. How can anything be more honorable than to remain at your job during a fire? A person would be hard pressed to find anyone (man or woman) so dedicated now.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of the Hello Girls until today but to see that they did not receive recognition for their work until sixty years later is disgraceful. If it wasn't for them who knows how much longer the war would have lasted? I just dont understand how they were good enough to help fight the war but not good enough to receive recognition for their service until years later.
ReplyDeleteThe steps we have taken in technology and the effect they have on society is very interesting. Here is a prime example, the Army was using the telephone system during WWI and at that time it required switchboard operators. A debate then ensued over whether the switchboard operators were officially in the Army.
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