Molly and the Hello Girls

by

My latest release, a wholesome historical romance set in World War I, just released July 11.

Molly is the story of an American Expeditionary Forces Signal Corps switchboard operator (also known as a Hello Girl) and a soldier who is tough yet tender.

When I was researching information for Sadie’s story,  the first WWI book I wrote, I discovered a little information about the Hello Girls who served during World War I.

I thought it would be an incredible thing for Molly, Sadie’s sister, to become one of the Hello Girls. When I dove into the research for this book, I learned so much about these amazing women! They were intelligent, impressive, and inspiring. Although it took them sixty years to be recognized by the Army in which they served, they are credited with opening the door to women serving in the U.S. Army.

In April 1917, America declared war on Germany and joined World War I. Soon after,  General John J. Pershing was tasked with leading the American Expeditionary Forces (which would become the US Army) and went to France to begin the arduous task of preparing for the arrival of American soldiers. He had an overwhelming task ahead of him and soon realized a better telephone system was needed, as well as highly trained operators. In America at that time, most switchboard operators were women.

For the most part, men operating the switchboards lacked the patience, courteousness, and the dexterity to connect calls at a rapid pace. If someone called in yelling orders in their ear, they were just as inclined to hang up as transfer the call. The French operators didn’t always understand English and often lacked the sense of urgency for the call. Calls were delayed, or not placed at all. The need for American women to operate the switchboards for the Army became quite clear.

Advertisements were placed in newspapers across the country in late 1917 and early 1918 asking for women who were fluent in both French and English and could understand French spoken on a telephone line, since the switchboards were connected to the French government as well as the American military in France. The call to “serve your country” as telephone operators was answered by 7,600 women. Although there were age requirements, some of the girls fudged a bit, afraid they’d be turned down. More than 400 women were trained, and 223 were sent to France, becoming the first women to directly contribute to combat operations in American history.

 

Hello Girls

They were the first women in the Army.

When the first unit arrived in France in March 1918, under the leadership of Chief Operator Grace Banker (who was an amazing individual), it was taking an average of sixty seconds for a call to be placed.

Grace Banker

Under the leadership of Grace, the average call placement time dropped to ten seconds. By the end of the war, the Hello Girls had connected over twenty-six million calls.

The girls didn’t all go at once. There were seven units, but the Armistice was signed before the girls in the seventh group could leave New York. The sixth unit arrived in October. I chose to make Molly part of the fourth unit because of their arrival time in France in July. It worked so well with my story’s timeline.

The girls were required to purchase their own uniforms, which was an expensive endeavor. In today’s money, the uniforms would have cost around $5,000-$6,000. The uniforms made them a functioning unit, and helped in their integration.

The Hello Girls were given orders to wear their uniforms at all times, to not socialize with civilians or privates, and to not keep journals or diaries (thank goodness some of them, like Grace Banker, broke the rules and recorded details so important to history!).

Some of the girls served in cities where they had pleasant accommodations and a Y.W.C.A. hostess to keep an eye on them. Other girls were in quaint villages, several of them sharing a house or room. Then there were the girls who ended up in tar paper shacks lined with newspaper and discarded maps to keep out the weather.

Grace Banker and a handful of operators were on the front lines. At one point, their barracks caught fire, and the women went on with their duties while soldiers rescued their belongings. Grace later found her toothbrush in a shoe.

More than thirty of the women received individual commendations, and Grace Banker was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

The girls wrote about the importance of their duty. How one transferred call could save a life, or an entire battalion.

The AEF honored the Signal Corps girls with a special memento booklet for Christmas 1918. They also took up a collection to purchase gifts for them.

When the war ended, the work of the Signal Corps women was still needed. Slowly, over the months of 1919, they began to return home. The last girls left France in 1920.

Their return home was not what they expected. Despite serving under commissioned officers, wearing military discs of identification (the World War I equivalent of dog tags), wearing rank insignia on the sleeves of their uniforms with Army buttons, swearing the Army Oath, being subject to courts-martial—after all that, the Hello Girls were informed they were “civilian contractors” instead of soldiers. The Army attorneys argued the women recruited to the Signal Corps were civilian employees “engaged under contract,” although none of the girls signed a contract. They were treated, for all intents and purposes, like they were part of the Army while they served, then ignored by the military when they returned. Because the Army refused to acknowledge them as soldiers, they were not eligible for bonuses, insurance, medical care, military burials, or any of the things the military afforded the men who served in World War I.

Merle Egan was a telephone operator from Helena, Montana, who arrived in France with the fifth unit. She returned home and immediately submitted a claim for the sixty-dollar bonus granted to members of the AEF, only to be denied and told she was a civilian, not part of the Army.

The next sixty years, Merle, and some of the other women, fought a battle for the Army to recognize their service as soldiers. More than fifty bills granting veteran status to the Hello Girls were introduced in Congress, but none passed. Finally, with help from different veterans’ groups and the National Organization for Women, along with a Seattle attorney who took an interest in Merle’s efforts, the Hello Girls received veteran status when Jimmy Carter signed the legislation on November 23, 1977.

It would take until 1979 before the official discharge papers were presented. By then, only eighteen of the women were still alive, but Merle was one of them. She died in 1986 as a veteran of the U.S. Army.

After researching these incredible women and reading their stories, I can’t begin to express how truly magnificent they were. They served with dignity, grace, determination, bravery, and professionalism, and they inspired the next generation of women who would serve in World War II.

 There was even a touching, beautiful poem written about them entitled “To the Telephone Girl” written by Frances A. Johnson. I hope you’ll take a moment to read it.

Right now, you can support a Congressional Gold Medal for the Hello Girls, America’s First Women Soldiers. You’ll find all the details at this website with links to each state. It doesn’t cost a penny to add your support, and only takes a few minutes.

 

Inspired by the Hello Girls, America’s first women soldiers who helped win World War I.

She longs to make a difference. He yearns to claim her heart.

After years of managing the Pendleton telephone office, Molly Thorsen answers the call for women to serve as telephone operators during World War I. Upon her arrival in France, she navigates the challenges of working near the front lines and battles the prejudices and skepticism of the men around her. Determined to prove her worth and skill, Molly faces adversity head-on while unexpectedly falling in love with a charming soldier.

Friday Fitzpatrick may not have been eager to engage in combat, but when he is drafted into the American Expeditionary Forces, he embraces the role of a soldier with unwavering determination. While fighting to survive the harrowing battlefield experiences, he clings to his sanity by dreaming about the captivating Hello Girl who has captured his heart. Though his opportunities to see her are limited, she serves as a beacon of hope in the midst of his darkest days.

Through their shared experiences and the trials they endure, Molly and Friday find comfort and encouragement in each other’s company, forging a connection that defies the chaos of a world in conflict. As the war draws to a close and they return home, will civilian life bring them together or pull them apart?

Find out in this sweet and wholesome historical romance filled with hope, faith, courage, and love.

To celebrate the release of the book, I’m giving away a fun prize pack that includes autographed copies of Sadie and Molly, swag, and this wonderful children’s book about Grace Banker and the Hello Girls.

To enter, pop over to THIS FORM.

I’m also going to give away a digital copy of Molly to one lucky winner today!

To enter, share the name of one woman in history you admire in the comments.

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After spending her formative years on a farm in Eastern Oregon, hopeless romantic Shanna Hatfield turns her rural experiences into sweet historical and contemporary romances filled with sarcasm, humor, and hunky western heroes.
When this USA Today bestselling author isn’t writing or covertly hiding decadent chocolate from the other occupants of her home, Shanna hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller.

68 thoughts on “Molly and the Hello Girls”

  4. Clara Barton. I knew I wanted to be a nurse from the time I was in grade school. I read books about nurses both historical and modern. I went to nursing school right out of high school and graduated in 1972.

  7. Thank you for sharing. There are many women I admire some not famous or known by many. I would say Esther.

  9. I always love to see history remembered in modern works. So many little facts of history are forgotten. Stories can save such events from being forgotten.

  12. Ruth Bell Graham was the wife of evangelist Billy Graham. I admired her faith. She raised a wonderful family while her husband ministered around the world. Both of their lives were influential. Her writings were full of wisdom. The Bible was what she lived and breathed. She had such joy, grace, and character.

    Shanna, you know how I loved the book Sadie. Such a powerful story. I know Molly will be another heartfelt book. Just the research alone must have been an eye opener. Way to go! Looking forward to reading Molly.

    • Thank you, Kathy! I hope you’ll love Molly’s story when you read it.
      And thank you for sharing about Ruth Bell Graham. She had to be a woman of strength and grace.

  15. I had thought the name was to be entered on the form, conflating the two separate instructions… A bit of a literalist, here.

    Inclusively, I admire all the WWII WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots, the first women to fly U.S. military planes), a group that received the CGM in 2010, but most especially my mother, Marcia Ellen Courtney (43-W-3). The designation indicates the year and group from which she graduated. Like the “Hello Girls,” the WASP had to fight to be recognized as military veterans–who also had to buy their own uniforms! I believe it was Senator Barry Goldwater who recognized their discharge papers as being identical to his own, and then went on to champion their cause. Fewer than half a dozen of the women remain alive, all in their 100s.

    Wonderful essay, thank you!

    • Me, too, Karen. Those women fought such a long and hard battle just to receive the recognition they so deserved. I can’t even begin to imagine how frustrating and painful that journey was for them, but especially Merle who led the charge.

  17. wow thanks so much for your little history above. COOL I tend to go to the women of the Bible. Easter and Ruth are two of my favorites, and Mary, Rahab and Tamar

  18. Hey Shanna! I loved Molly and Friday’s story! Now I can’t decide which I liked better, Sadie or Molly?!LOL They were both wonderfully written books! I left a review, but sometimes I’m a hit and a miss on them! I don’t leave them often, but I really wanted to leave one for Molly! I loved all Pendleton Petticoats(and your latest Luna) and Pendleton Promises! Can’t wait to hear about those missing twins!

    I’ve also admired Amelia Earnhardt. And it was a treat to see John Harley piloting his own plane! Cool!

    • Hi Tracy! You are so sweet. Thank you for reading both Molly and Sadie. I’m glad you loved both stories! Yay! It was so fun for me to be back with my Pendleton characters. I am letting some thoughts simmer for The Rawlings twins until I have time to write their story!
      And Amelia was such a fascinating figure in history. Yes – loved giving Harley John his own plane!

  19. Margaret Mitchell because she wrote the book that really introduced me to the world of reading.

  20. This was so interesting. I had never heard of these girls. Florence Nightingale is someone I have greatly admired since I read her story when I was 12. Thank you so much for sharing.

  21. I loved Sadie and am looking forward to reading Molly’s story. Corey Ten Boom has always inspired me. Her faith, perseverance, and forgiveness are amazing examples for all of us.

  22. Oh, man, this makes me think of my Mom!! Mom was a telephone operator who worked with her cousin, Grace, during WWII. Grace was Mom’s “boss” before WWII, as they were both telephone operators before the war started, and Grace was over all of the workers. Mom was with Ft. Stewart in GA.

  24. There so many worthy of praise, but I would pick biblical Ruth because of her faithfulness and Deborah because of her willingness to take over.

  26. My great-grandmother Ida. She lived during the great depression. She lost a son at the age of 8 and a husband during that time but she kept on fighting for her other children.

  27. I would also say Ruth Bell Graham in being a focal point in the Billy Graham ministry and their lives. She was his all and no greater help meet could be found.

    I also read Molly and truly enjoyed the history this story outlined. Many do not know the things accomplished by women during our wars. GOD blessed them with the fortitude and caring.

    • Hi Judy!
      Thank you so much for reading Molly and for what you shared. I think women who served in the wars, especially the early wars, so often are overlooked for their contributions.

      That is lovely what you shared about Ruth Bell Graham. Thank you for stopping in today!

  30. Shanna, thanks for the eye-opening history lesson on Grace Banker, Merle Egan and all the other “Hello Girls!” Betsy Ross, Molly Pitcher and Barbara Fritchie spring to mind from our country’s early history. My grandmother was a teletypist for Western Union during WWII (making Dad and his 2 brothers “latchkey kids” before that was a term). All these women are deserving of our admiration!

    • How interesting about your grandmother (and the latchkey kids before that was a thing). So many women worked during the war, and they do deserve our admiration. Thank you for stopping in today!

  31. What an interesting post. As usual, women get the short end of the stick and are denied credit for what they have done. I am so glad there is a children’s book out about these important women.

    I would have to say one woman in history I admire is Clara Barton, and not just because I have been a Red Cross volunteer for a bit over 25 years. She brought the Red Cross to America. She was a nurse who served wounded soldiers during the Civil War. Often under difficult circumstances. The small church we belonged to in Northern Virginia was used by her as a hospital during that war. She was a visionary leader and humanitarian . From History.com: “Clara Barton is one of the most-recognized heroes of the American Civil War. She began her illustrious career as an educator but found her true calling tending wounded soldiers on and off bloody Civil War battlefields. When the war ended, Barton worked to identify missing and deceased soldiers, and eventually founded the American Red Cross. Her life was dedicated to the care of others, and Barton had a crucial and long-lasting impact on caregiving and disaster relief in America and throughout the world.”

    • Hi Patricia!
      Thank you for sharing those wonderful tidbits about Clara. That is so neat you attended a church she used as a hospital during the war. She was such an inspiration and continues to be.

      The children’s book is very well done. They sometimes share history in such a relatable, easy manner, I think more adults should read them!

      Thanks for stopping in today!

  32. So cool to know! And btw. I accidentally put my addy wrong on my form so I made another form with the correct one Sorry!

  34. Clara Barton known for her work for the red cross, which she founded… but before that she probably is the most famous nurse serving in the civil war.

  35. Louisa May Alcott. Besides being an excellent writer, she served as a nurse in the Civil War and wrote about her experiences in the book Hospital Sketches.

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