Movie Screening & Discussion: “The Hello Girls” Documentary

On Thursday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m., the Wilton League of Women Voters, the Wilton Library, the Wilton Historical Society, and the James B. Whipple American Legion Post 86 will all co-sponsor a movie screening and panel discussion on of the documentary film The Hello Girls. This film tells the story of the 223 women sent to France in 1918 by the U.S. Army Signal Corps to work on the war effort as telephone operators. After a 60-year effort, with the help of Senator Barry Goldwater and Congresswoman Lindy Boggs, they finally won recognition in 1977.

The event is part of Wilton’s town-wide Centennial Celebrations of the Ratification of the 19th Amendment. Panelists joining for the discussion following the screening include Ret. Captain Doris Lippman, EdD, US Army, Vietnam Veteran, and recipient of the Honorary Order of the Purple Heart; Dr. Amy Pettigrew, granddaughter of “Hello Girl” Ellen Turner and former Dean, Dade College School of Nursing and Xavier University School of Nursing; and Dr. Darla Shaw, Professor Emeritus, at Western Connecticut State University, and beloved actor/depictor of Women in History.

Registration is strongly urged, and can be done online or call 203.762.6334. There is no charge to attend.