[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 43 (Monday, March 11, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H1082]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE HELLO GIRLS OF WORLD WAR I

  (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, in honor of Women's History Month, I rise 
to honor the trailblazing women of the Signal Corps Female Telephone 
Operators Unit.
  During World War I, General Pershing found the Army's communications 
network in disarray. He urged the War Department to employ Americans 
experienced in switchboard operation. There were 233 women who 
enthusiastically honored the call to service and deployed to war-torn 
France.
  This included Elizabeth M. Shovar, born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. 
She spoke fluent French. These Hello Girls worked tirelessly to direct 
calls coordinating troop movements and artillery fire.
  As the first women to actively support combat operations on a regular 
basis, these soldiers paved the way for female servicemembers. They 
also helped win women the right to vote.
  Despite their honorable service, it took six decades before they were 
formally recognized as veterans and given their hard-earned benefits.
  Today, I am proud to honor their legacy by cosponsoring H. Res. 1572 
to award a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of these 
patriotic, brave women, the Signal Corps Female Telephone Operators 
Unit. God bless them.

                          ____________________