TheU.S. women's hockey teamis getting the recognition it deserves, this time thanks to adifferent type of phone call.
This week, the public relations firm Jennifer Bett Communications (JBC) andCosmopolitanlaunched a phone hotline for fans to leave voicemails congratulating the team on itsOlympic gold medal win.
It comes afterdays of controversyshrouded the team'sthrilling overtime victory over Canadaon Feb. 19.
After theU.S. men's hockey team accomplished the same featthree days later, PresidentDonald Trumpcalled the players to offer congratulations and acontroversial jokeabout the women.
When the president said he planned to invite the men's players to the White House, he added that he would also have to extend the same offer to the women's team. If he didn't, he said, "I probably would be impeached." Videos of the incident shared on social media showed the men's players laughing in response.
The call sparkedbacklash from fansandother athletesalike, who argued that the comment diminished the women's team's incredible feat.
In an effort to dial in on the gold medal moment, the new phone hotline is giving fans a way to celebrate the team.
"We launched this because we refused to let a single moment pass where these women felt their gold was anything less than the biggest story in the country. It's about closing the recognition gap — not with criticism, but with joy," Jennifer Meyer, the founder of JBC, said in an email statement to USA TODAY.
More:Hilary Knight says Trump's 'distasteful joke' overshadowing women's hockey gold
Relive USA's thrilling gold‑medal OT win and celebration over Canada
How to leave a voicemail for the U.S. women's hockey team
Fans can call 1-833-SHE-WON1, or 1-833-743-9661, to leave a voicemail celebrating the women's hockey team's gold medal win.
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When dialed, the toll-free number prompts callers to leave a message congratulating the team. Meyer said her firm is monitoring the submissions "to ensure what reaches the players is a curated audio trophy of support."
JBC is also working to make sure the messages get to the team itself, Meyer said.
"We have a personal connection to the team and have already been in touch with the USA Hockey communications department to coordinate delivery," she said.
Callers include 7-year-old: 'I play hockey like you'
So far, the response to the hotline has been "overwhelming, in the best possible way," Meyer said.
Callers have ranged from youth hockey players, parents and other sports fans.
"The common thread in every message is pure, unfiltered pride. The response has turned this into a standing ovation in audio form," Meyer said.
Transcripts from some of the voicemails that JBC shared with USA TODAY echo the ovation.
"I am so proud of all of you. You guys are trailblazers. You guys are what I wanted to be when I grew up, but they didn't let girls play hockey back then. I am bursting with pride over what you've done. Congratulations. Don't let the haters win. We love you," one message said.
"Hi, my name is Claire. I'm seven years old. I play hockey like you. Congratulations for winning the gold," another said.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached atmelina.khan@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Dial in congratulations for US women's hockey team with this hotline