The Hello Girls, America's first women soldiers, finally getting their recognition

CBS Evening News

1,650 views • 11 days ago 2 min read

Video Summary

This report highlights the story of the "Hello Girls," American women who served as bilingual telephone operators for the U.S. Army in France during World War I. Despite being told they were soldiers and wearing the uniform, they were denied veteran status upon their return to the United States. The segment focuses on Renee Messelin, a French citizen born in Chicago who served in the Signal Corps. Messelin, the daughter of African-American parents, passed as white and kept her heritage hidden. She is recognized as the first African-American woman to serve overseas and was recently honored with a memorial ceremony and headstone acknowledging her service, part of an ongoing mission to recognize all Hello Girls.

Short Highlights

"Hello Girls" were American women who served as telephone operators in WWI France.
They were denied veteran status upon returning to the US.
Renee Messelin, an African-American woman, served and is now being honored.
There is an ongoing effort to recognize all Hello Girls.

Key Details

The Hello Girls' Service [00:00]

In 1917, 223 American women served overseas in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War I.
They operated telephone lines in France, a critical role where communication failures could have severe consequences.
These women were known as the "Hello Girls."

Denied Veteran Status [01:10]

Although treated as soldiers and told they were soldiers, the Hello Girls were not recognized as veterans upon their return to the United States.
This lack of recognition took decades to address.

Honoring Renee Messelin [01:19]

A mission is underway to recognize women like Renee Messelin.
Messelin, a French citizen born in Chicago, was the daughter of African-American parents.
Researcher Diane Bcher notes that Messelin passed as white and kept her heritage hidden from history.
She is recognized as the first African-American woman to serve overseas.

Memorial and Recognition [01:43]

Renee Messelin was recently honored with a memorial ceremony and headstone.
This ceremony acknowledges her service as a Hello Girl.
The effort aims to recognize every Hello Girl, acknowledging their many connections and contributions.