Over a century ago, before the advent of artificial intelligence and advanced technology, telecommunications relied entirely on human operators. During World War I, this task fell to a remarkable group known as the Hello Girls, who were female telephone operators enlisted in the US Army Signal Corps.
Recruited by AT&T, they played a critical role in ensuring military communications for the American Expeditionary Forces in France. Despite their significant contributions, the story of the Hello Girls remains largely unknown.
Recent recognition came when they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, highlighting their vital role during the war. The recruitment and training process for these operators was stringent.
Their ability to communicate fluently in both English and French allowed them to connect calls effectively between American and French forces, greatly enhancing battlefield communication. According to AT&T’s archives, only the most talented candidates were chosen from six training centers across the United States.
Many applicants did not meet the high standards set for this demanding job, ensuring that only the best were prepared for the challenges ahead. Once deployed in France, the impact of the Hello Girls was immediate.
While some military personnel took up to a minute to establish connections, the operators managed to do so in just 10 seconds. Their expertise earned them the trust of high-ranking officers like General John Pershing, who assigned them to critical operations—including the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, where they maintained constant communication through round-the-clock shifts.
Before the Hello Girls joined the effort, American forces managed just 13,000 calls daily. Their involvement boosted that number to an impressive 36,000 calls per day, culminating in over 25 million local calls and nearly 900,000 long-distance calls throughout the war.
Unfortunately, after the conflict ended, they were classified as civilians by the US Army, denying them veteran status. It took more than fifty years for their service to be formally recognized, with only 18 of the original operators still alive when this happened.
Their dedication is now honored with the Congressional Gold Medal as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2025.