In a historic recognition of women’s contributions to military communications, the Hello Girls—AT&T-trained telephone operators who played a critical role in World War I—have been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. This long-overdue honor comes as part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2025, ensuring these pioneering women receive the recognition they deserve.
The unsung heroes of military communications
The Hello Girls were a group of 223 women recruited and trained by AT&T to operate switchboards for the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I. Their expertise drastically improved communication efficiency on the battlefield, reducing call connection times from one minute to just 10 seconds. This speed was critical during pivotal battles like Saint-Mihiel, where they worked in 24-hour shifts to maintain military operations.
Before their involvement, American forces managed only 13,000 calls per day. With the Hello Girls at the helm, that number soared to 36,000. By the war’s end, they had facilitated over 25 million local calls and nearly 900,000 long-distance connections, directly impacting the success of the Allied forces.
A legacy of service and recognition
Despite their military-like uniforms, ranks, and duties, the Hello Girls were classified as civilians after the war, depriving them of veteran benefits for over 50 years. In 1977, they were finally recognized as veterans, but by then, only 18 of them were still alive. Their recent Congressional Gold Medal award serves as a long-overdue acknowledgment of their bravery and impact on military communications.
Continuing the mission of connectivity
AT&T remains committed to advancing communications technology for military and government operations. Initiatives like the Catapult IT apprenticeship program help train the next generation of technical professionals, ensuring the U.S. continues to lead in secure and efficient communications.
By honoring the Hello Girls, AT&T not only celebrates history but also reaffirms its dedication to connecting those who serve the nation.
For more details, visit AT&T’s official announcement: AT&T Hello Girls.