Berlin, Connecticut Girl to Go as Phone Operator - 1918

Miss Elizabeth Rockwell Roby (1892-1975), Graduate of Smith College and Instructor in Traffic Department, American Telephone and Telegraph Company, Who Is Serving As an Operator “Over There." Miss Roby’s Brother Is in France With the Twenty-Ninth Engineers. Miss Elizabeth Roby, US Signal Corp Telephone Operator. The Hartford Courant, 20 March 1918. GGA Image ID # 19bbe8be74

Introduction

Miss Elizabeth Roby of Berlin, Connecticut, exemplifies American women's patriotic spirit and determination during World War I. A graduate of Smith College and an accomplished instructor in the Traffic Department of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, Miss Roby has enlisted in the U.S. Signal Corps to serve as a telephone operator in France. Her decision reflects her resolve to contribute meaningfully to the war effort, breaking barriers and embracing a vital role in facilitating communication on the front lines. As she prepares for her deployment, her story is a testament to the courage and commitment of women stepping into critical roles traditionally reserved for men.

Miss Elizabeth Roby Enlists in the U. S. Signal Corps and Expects to be Sent to France shortly.

New Britain, 18 March 1918

When General Pershing, at the head of the American troops flanked on both sides by leaders of the English and French troops, with the Italians and other allies bringing up the rear, marched “Unter den Linden” (under the linden trees ) in Berlin, there is a possibility that a Berlin, Connecticut girl will seat herself in the royal telephone office, shift a few plugs and notify King Edward over the wire at Buckingham palace that the big job is over, and that a certain Wilhelm, whose name and picture have appeared quite frequently since 1914 in the newspapers, is about to get his deserve.

If such is the case, the girl will likely be Miss Elizabeth Roby, a proud daughter of Berlin, Connecticut, and the esteemed Mr. and Mrs. S. J. Roby. Roby, a graduate of New Britain High School and Smith College, is currently making her home in Chicago, having moved there about three years ago after completing her college studies.

After completing her college course, she accepted a position with the American Telephone & Telegraph Company. She has since been engaged with that concern at the Chicago office, handling long-distance work and acting as an instructor.

A short time ago, realizing that even though she was only a “mere woman,” there was room for her to do “her bit.” Miss Roby enlisted in the United States Signal Corps as a telephone operator. Her role as a telephone operator is crucial, as it will facilitate communication in the war zone, a vital aspect of wartime operations. She is currently studying hard in preparation for a trip across to France.

She hopes to see immediate service and expects to have her wish granted, so she is undergoing a thorough study of French. Her friends, eagerly anticipating news of her work, have received word of Miss Roby’s enlistment in Berlin and this city, and they expect to hear favorable reports of her work in the field soon.

Miss Roby’s parents are spending the winter months in Meriden. Still, they are expected to return to Berlin shortly for the summer.

Conclusion

Miss Elizabeth Roby's enlistment in the U.S. Signal Corps highlights the indispensable contributions of women to the success of military operations during World War I. With her extensive training and determination, she is poised to significantly impact the war effort, ensuring seamless communication in the most challenging conditions. Her journey from Berlin, Connecticut, to the battlefields of France underscores the growing role of women in shaping history. It demonstrates the power of individual dedication in the collective pursuit of victory.

“Berlin Girl to Go as Phone Operator,” in The Hartford Daily Courant, Wednesday, 20 March 1918, p. 7.