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"Our Girls Over There:" The Hello Girls of World War I - FREE

by  National Museum of the U.S. Army

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On March 2, 1918, a U.S. Army Signal Corps unit boarded the Celtic, a transport ship, destined for England and eventually the battlefields of France. The unit, comprised of female telephone operators, would make history as the first women to actively support combat operations on a regular basis. In doing so, they paved the way for expanded roles for women both in the U.S. Army and at home.

Telephone communications were vital to the success of U.S. Army operations during World War I. The first troops shipped overseas were members of the U.S. Army Signal Corps to establish telephone lines at the front. These lines required hundreds of operators to connect calls between the front and higher headquarters. The Army turned to French speaking, female, telephone operators to connect calls. Over 200 women served the American Expeditionary Forces in the First, Second, and Third Army Headquarters. The women, nicknamed the “Hello Girls,” worked tirelessly, under at times combat conditions, to connect calls on behalf of the Army.

Explore the commitment, sacrifice, and challenges of the Hello Girls during World War I. Learn more about how these female telephone operators were recruited for specific skills and how their contributions were critical to effective U.S. Army wartime communications. Also examine how they fought to achieve appropriate recognition and military benefits after the war. This Virtual Field Trip is supported by the U.S. Army Women’s Museum.

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About This Program

Cost

Point to Point: $0.00
Point to Point Premium: $0.00

FREE!


This program is free.

Length

45 minutes


Target Audience

Education: Grade(s) 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Teacher(s)/Educator(s), Parent, Adult Learners, Homeschool/Family , Learning PodPublic Library: Library Patrons, Library Staff

Minimum participants:

10

Maximum participants:

100


Primary Disciplines

History & Social Studies


Program Delivery Mode

Videoconference – Webcam/desktop (Zoom, Google Meet, Cisco WebEx, GoToMeeting, Microsoft Teams, etc...)


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Booking Information

Date/Time
All times are displayed in Dateline Standard Time. To view times in your time zone, login or create a profile.
03/27/2025 04:00 AM - 05:00 AM (Registration Deadline: 03/27/2025)

This program can be reserved Monday - Sunday, 9 - 3:30 p.m. ET

Book it!

Receive this program and 9 more for one low price when you purchase the CILC Virtual Expeditions package. Learn more

For more information contact CILC by email info@cilc.org or by phone (507) 388-3672

Provider's Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to the start of the program.

About This Provider

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National Museum of the U.S. Army

Fort Belvoir, VA
United States

The National Museum of the United States Army provides the only comprehensive portrayal of Army history and traditions through the eyes of the American Soldier. Through preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting invaluable artifacts, the National Army Museum creates learning opportunities for all visitors and bonds the American people to their oldest military service.

We are America’s Army Museum.

Program Details

Format

This program guides participants through an examination of primary resources and demonstrations to learn how female telephone operators contributions were critical to effective U.S. Army wartime communications. Participants will be encouraged to answer questions based on a review of primary sources. Time will be allowed for questions and answers.

Objectives

This program guides participants through an examination of primary resources and demonstrations to learn how female telephone operators contributions were critical to effective U.S. Army wartime communications. Participants will be encouraged to answer questions based on a review of primary sources. Time will be allowed for questions and answers.

Standards Alignment

National Standards

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.2

Determine the central ideas or information of a primary or secondary source; provide an accurate summary of the source distinct from prior knowledge or opinions.

State Standards

History and Social Science Standards of Learning for Virginia Public Schools

United States History 1865 to Present
VUS.11 The student will apply history and social science skills to analyze the emerging role of the United States in world affairs during the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries by
D) describing the events and leaders that lead to prohibition, the Women’s Suffrage Movement, and the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment, including, but not limited to Susan B. Anthony, Lucy Burns, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Carrie Chapman Catt, Ida B. Wells-Barnett, and Sojourner Truth

Virginia and United States History
VUS.12 The student will apply history and social science skills to understand key international and domestic events, interests, and philosophies of the 1920s and 1930s by
F)examining the changing role of women in society and in the passage of the Eighteenth Amendment and the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; and