ATKINSON, N.H. (WBZ NewsRadio) — An Atkinson, N.H. woman is working to make sure her grandmother and other World War I veterans are not forgotten.
Carolyn Timbie’s grandmother, Grace Banker, was one of the ‘Hello Girls’ in WWI. They were switchboard operators who were stationed near the front in France during the war. But, they were not recognized as soldiers until decades later.
Banker was the Chief Operator of the U.S. Signal Corps’ women telephone operators, and worked under General John J. Pershing.
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Timbie never met Banker, but has gone through her papers and memories, and is working to preserve her history. She wants Banker, and her fellow veterans, honored with the Congressional Gold Medal. Timbie is working with historians and Sen. Maggie Hassan’s Office to make that happen.
“They waited for many years, and we just feel they are a very important part of women’s history and certainly are role models for women today,” Timbie said.
Banker was posthumously recognized as a veteran by the government she served in the 1970s.
WBZ NewsRadio's Karyn Regal (@Karynregal) reports
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(Photo: Courtesy of Carolyn Timbie)