History Center Stage: Bradford High Students Bring the Forgotten Story of WWI’s 'Hello Girls' to Life

KENOSHA, WI — A group of Bradford High School students brought a powerful and largely forgotten piece of American history to life yesterday, concluding a weekend of performances that aimed to give a voice to the unsung heroes of World War I.

The production, titled "The Hello Girls," tells the true story of the U.S. Army’s first female switchboard operators. These women served on the front lines of the Great War, maintaining critical communications under enemy fire. Despite their bravery and essential service, they were denied veteran status for more than 50 years—a wrong that wasn't righted until 1977.

For the cast, the production was as much a history lesson as it was a performance. "The story is very inspiring," said cast member Isabella Mejos. "It’s a way of really showing anybody can change the world or make history."

A Mission of Empathy

Thespian Society President Etta Tidd took the initiative to bring public attention to the show, emphasizing the weight of the story being told. "Female switchboard operators of World War I who didn’t get their veteran status—I think that tagline alone really tells you the best part about the show," Tidd said.

Stage Director Christi Geidner explained that connecting students to stories of real-world sacrifice is at the heart of the school's theater program. The goal was to move beyond the script to recreate the empathy and compassion these women showed during the war.

"It’s not for me—it’s for the kids," Geidner said. "It is for getting them to the point where they start to understand and can recreate that empathy, and then turn around and tell that story and do it with honesty and compassion and love."

A Timeless Message

The musical wrapped its final show yesterday afternoon, leaving the audience with a poignant question that resonated from the beginning of the play to the final curtain: "Will you step up? Will you be of service?"

While the stage lights have dimmed on this production, the students hope the legacy of the "Hello Girls" remains bright in the minds of the Kenosha community, reminding them that history is often made by those whose names are nearly lost to time.

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