‘The Hello Girls’ ― the story of the first U.S. women soldiers ― comes to Sonoma

More than 100 years ago 223 brave women, known as the Hello Girls, served in the Army as telephone switchboard operators during World War I.

The story of the first female soldiers who served on the frontlines before they were granted their right to vote, is brought to life in the Sonoma Arts Live production of the Broadway musical, “The Hello Girls.”

Director Maeve Smith’s production of “The Hello Girls” opens April 19 at the Sonoma Community Center in Andrews Hall and runs through May 5.

When Gen. John J. Pershing commander of the American Expeditionary Forces discovered his male troops, the Doughboys, were not efficient enough in transmitting vital, battlefield communications, he issued a call for women to serve as telephone switchboard operators.

More than 7,600 young women eagerly volunteered and applied to be sent overseas, and 223 women fluent in English and French were selected. By Nov. 11, 1918, the Hello Girls had connected over 26,000,000 calls for the American Expeditionary Forces.

When these female soldiers returned home, they were told they were not considered soldiers by the Army, despite the fact they had taken Army oaths ― often twice, wore Army uniforms, were given dog tags and were subject to court martial.

It took more than 60 years for these women to get veterans status from the U.S. government. When the Hello Girls finally received their deserved recognition in 1977, only 20 of the 223 soldiers had lived to see the day.

The lively musical tells the true story of the courageous young women and their significant role in the ending of World War I.

The unmarked grave in Sonoma

When conducting research for the play, Smith acquired information from James Theres, filmmaker of the documentary, “The Hello Girls,” which led her to a remarkable discovery.

“I just thought the musical was really fresh, interesting, and a great story to tell. And then as I started getting ready to direct it, I did my research, like you're supposed to for a historical show,” Smith said. “And there was this unearthing of people that are doing work for the Hello Girls, giving me all their research and that led me to finding that one of them was in Sonoma.”

Hello Girl Juliette Louise Courtial Smith was buried in the Saint Francis Solano Cemetery in Sonoma. However, when visiting her grave site, the director discovered there was no headstone to be found.

Smith contacted the cemetery owners and they confirmed Courtial was buried there. The Hello Girl’s husband, William Smith, and her mother, Hortense Courtial, were also buried at the site and have inscribed grave markers.

“I was, like, this is so sad, but also amazing, that we could potentially help her get the recognition she deserves,” Smith said.

Courtial not only lies in an unmarked grave, but she does not have recognition for her service as a veteran, unlike other grave stones for those who’ve served.

Courtial was originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, and moved to California with her husband when he was offered a job in Sonoma. She died on Nov. 30, 1958, and possibly had a grave marker at one point.

Smith sprang into action and worked with the American Legion to initiate getting the Hello Girl a proper headstone. Because there was no next of kin, another veteran had to facilitate the process.

Many of the Hello Girls’ grave sites do not include recognition for their service as they died before they received veteran status.

On stage

“The Hello Girls” follows the story of Hello Girl chiefoperator Grace Banker, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal with the wording of the award applying to all 223 women.

Banker kept detailed diaries during her time of service, which were used to bring her story to life in the musical.

Banker’s daughter Carolyn Timbie said she grew up knowing about her grandmother and the fact that she served as one of the first female soldiers, but Timbie never met her or heard about the specifics of her story until recently.

“She didn't talk about her service, but she saved everything. So I have her story, through her voice, through her diary, through her letters and even personal things with family exchanges,” Timbie said. “So I really feel like I've gotten to know her without meeting her. It has had a profound impact on me because I just feel this immense respect and love for her.”

When author Elizabeth Cobbs was writing “The Hello Girls: America's First Women Soldiers,” she reached out to Banker’s descendants. Timbie said since the book’s release in 2017, she’s been immersed in her grandmother’s story.

She has seen several productions of the musical and said she has been very impressed and proud.

“We know theater is storytelling and what a amazing story already to tell of these women. But now it has this Sonoma story to tell. And I do think that's what's so beautiful about theater and bringing people together and we're gonna be able to bring multi-generations together,” Smith said.

“And there are other descendants of the Hello Girls that live in the Bay Area and they're going to be able to come see the show,” Smith said. “I was already very excited about the musical, I had a very fresh score and perspective and then I was able to cast just some of the best talent I think in the Bay Area. But then it became so much more than just a cool show.”

The Sonoma Arts Live ensemble includes a lively group of talent including Jenny Veilleux who plays Grace Banker. The musical is based on the book by Cara Reichel and Peter Mills, and the music and lyrics were produced by Mills.

The Sonoma Arts Live production was choreographed by Jonathen Blue and the music was directed by Aja Gianola-Norris.

“My only hope is that we can get her headstone and that people don’t miss the opportunity to see the show because it’s such a rare story to be told,” Smith said.

The Sonoma Community Center is at 276 E Napa St. Show are Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The show runs for 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission.

For more information about show times, visit, https://www.sonomaartslive.org/.

The box office will close two-and-a-half hours prior to each show and same day tickets will be available to purchase at the theater if shows don’t sell out. Contact Sue Martin art sue@sonomaartslive.org or 707-484-4874 with questions.

Contact Staff Writer Emma Molloy at emma.molloy@sonomanews.com.