This is Amy Wagenaar from the Historical Society of Michigan with a Michigan History Moment. The popular image of a 20th century woman serving their country in wartime comes from World War II. Rosie the Riveters worked on assembly lines. Other women served as nurses or as auxiliaries in the WAVES or the wasps. But it was in the First World War that for the first time, thousands of American women went overseas for wartime service. The increasing acceptance of women in some areas of employment opened up several occupations for them, especially teaching, nursing, and secretarial work. The widespread expectation, however, was that they would leave their jobs as soon as they married. Typically, women in those professional occupations were Euro American and middle class. About 20,000American women served in British, French or Belgian hospitals during World War I. The United States army and the American Red Cross coordinated their efforts. Those who served in the Red Cross enrolled for only a two year term of service, but received no benefits if they were injured. Army nurses would receive benefits but enlisted for an indefinite period. They had to follow army rules and regulations, yet they had no military rank. Great Britain And France recognized 10 nurses from Michigan for their wartime service overseas. At least 14 Michigan nurses died during the war, most of them from the influenza pandemic. Philanthropic organizations including the Red Cross, YMCA, and the Salvation army recruited women to serve as hostesses at canteens. Those establishments offered recreational facilities where soldiers could read, sing, play games, and enjoy coffee and snacks. The hostesses boosted morale and provided the young men with a reminder of home. Telephone operators known as hello Girls served with the U.S. army Signal Corps as telephone operators. The nickname came from the telephone operators in Mark Twain's book A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. Some 233 women served as hello girls during World War I, making switchboard connections that coordinated troops and supplies along the front. Although subject to military rules and regulations, they received no benefits or even acknowledgement of their service. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter signed a bill that finally gave the women veteran status. 50 surviving hello girls received an honorable discharge in a World War I victory medal. From hospitals to canteens to telephone switchboards, American women played a vital role in helping win the war. This Michigan history moment was brought to you by michiganhistorymagazine.org.