Women Who Got America Talking

"Women Who Got America Talking" by Kerry Segrave, published by McFarland & Co Inc in 2017, explores the fascinating role of women in the early telecommunications industry. With 240 pages of insightful content, this book challenges the conventional assumptions of the 1870s that only men could fulfill the role of telephone operators. When the need for these operators arose, boys were initially recruited, but their tendency to argue with subscribers led to a revolutionary change. Women stepped in, bringing calmness and reassuring voices to the service, and quickly established themselves as the primary operators. This compelling narrative not only highlights the evolution of telecommunication policy in the United States but also celebrates the resilience and contributions of women in shaping the industry. A must-read for anyone interested in social history and the impact of gender dynamics in the workplace.