By Peter Mills and Cara Reichel
In 1917, General Pershing did the unthinkable and requested that females volunteer to join the Army in WWI. He needed French-speaking switchboard operators to run communications for the American Expeditionary Forces in France. It turned out that the most capable operators were women, so General Pershing overruled his colleagues, and the call went out. Thousands of young American women applied, 223 were recruited.
The women were sworn in by the Army, wore military uniforms, reported to Army officers, were paid by the Army, served on the front lines in France, and some were awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, yet at the end of WWI the women were told that they were “civilian employees” and were denied Veteran’s status and the accompanying benefits.
Several of the women fought this injustice and in 1977, their efforts were rewarded. Sixty years later, these women were awarded Veteran’s status and Honorable Discharges. Sadly, of the 223 women who served, only eighteen were there to receive these honors. However, the women harbored no ill feelings and said that they were honored to have served and hoped that they paved the way for others to follow.
THE HELLO GIRLS is the new musical that tells the story of these brave women who “answered the call” and volunteered to serve their country during WWI in France.
PenArts is thrilled to be presenting this powerful story during Women’s History Month. At each performance we will be honoring all Women Veterans who attend.
Performances run March 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th at 7:30pm. There will be a matinee on March 13th at 2:30pm. All performances will be at The Gordon Community Art Center (306 N DeVilliers St).
Ticket prices for all Women Veterans is $5 (General Admission tickets are $15) and on March 9th, there will be a pre-show gathering in their honor. Tickets are on Eventbrite.com
For more information: #850-857-8961 or email [email protected]
