#6888th postal battalion | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

usnatarchives · 2 years

Text

WWII 6888th Central Postal Battalion vet Romay Davis, 102, Jay Reeves/AP.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at Dedication Ceremony Honoring Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, 7/13/2022 (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post).

Black Women ROCK (US history)! By Miriam Kleiman, Public Affairs

Two BIG story updates: Mary McLeod Bethune Returns to the Hill (7/13/2022) (Figuratively) topples Confederate Statue! 1st Black American in Statuary Hall! See related NARA Tumblr post. Dr. Bethune joined Old Boys Club on Capitol Hill (90 of the 100 statues there are of men) as an impressive 3 ton, 11 foot statue in the Capitol’s National Statuary Hall.

80 years late, WWII vet Romay Davis is recognized (7/25/2022) Davis was part of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit to serve in Europe in WWII, led by Major Charity Adams, the highest-ranking Black woman in the Army during WWII. See: Black Female WWII Unit Gets (Congressional) GOLD!

More amazing facts about Dr. Bethune:

1st Black woman to lead a federal agency.

1st Black women with a university founded in her name.

Founder of the National Council of Negro Women

More amazing facts about Ms. Davis:

She earned a martial arts black belt while in her late 70s!

She went back to work at grocery store in Montgomery, AL, and retired only last year, at age 101!

The 6888th by the #s:

855 - # of Black women in the 6888th

3 - # of months it took them to clear a 6-month backlog of mail.

3 separate 8-hour shifts, 7 days a week - work hours.

65,000 - # of pieces of mail processed per shift

17 million - # of pieces of mail processed by the conflict’s end.

77 years - # of years wait for these women to be honored by Congress

Connection between the two? Mary McLeod Bethune worked with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to establish the Women’s Army Corps, and advocated for the inclusion of Black women who wanted to contribute to the war effort.

tumblr_video

“Somewhere in England, Maj. Charity E. Adams,…and Capt. Abbie N. Campbell, …inspect the first contingent of Negro members of the Women’s Army Corps assigned to overseas service.” 2/15/1945. NARA ID 16214.

Much more online:

We honor WW2’s #InvisibleWarriors! Black Women in WWII

BLACK (military) NURSES ROCK!

Pictorial History of Black Women in the US Navy during World War II and Beyond, by Dr. Tina Ligon, Rediscovering Black History.

Before Kamala: Black Women in Presidential Administrations, Rediscovering Black History

Official Personnel Folder for Mary McLeod Bethune, NARA ID 158329664.

Mary Bethune: Adviser to Presidents, Hoover Heads blog

Providing a New Deal for Young Black Women: Mary McLeod Bethune and the Negro Affairs Division of the National Youth Association, Rediscovering Black History.

Featured NARA public program: Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All

The Closed Door of Justice: African American Nurses and the Fight for Naval Service, by Alicia Henneberry, The Text Message.

Their War Too: US Women in the Military During WWII, The Text Message

African Americans and the War Industry by Alexis Hill, The Unwritten Record blog

I too, am Rosie by Dr. Tina Ligon, Rediscovering Black History

Women’s History Month and African American History National Archives News special topics pages.

#black history #black women #blm #ww2 #civil rights #black lives matter #blackwomendidthat #blackwomenrock #world war ii #women in the military #african american history #blackexcellence #blackwomen #mary mcleod bethune #romaydavis #nancy pelosi

287 notes · View notes

californiastatelibrary · 3 months

Text

During World War II, the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (consisting of solely Black women), delivered mail in the European Theater — a way to keep up morale. These images are from a scrapbook of WAAC ephemera.

#world war 2 #world war ii #wwii #WAAC #black history month #women's army corps #librarians #libraries #history

13 notes · View notes

tllgrrl · 9 months

Text

The Six-Triple-Eight by @tllgrrl aka Nefertiri Jones

@sarahbuckybingo Summer Prompts Fest 2023

Week 6 Prompt - “Alternate Universe”

Sergeant!Sarah Wilson / Sergeant James “Bucky” Barnes | Rating: SFW

Summary: December 1944 - Sgt. Sarah Wilson arrives in the UK—Birmingham, England to be specific—to assist in setting up the facilities and living quarters for a new squadron, the 6888th aka “the Six-Triple-8th”, scheduled to begin arriving in 2 months.

(See Notes at end.)

* * * * * * * * * *

“Need some help with that, ma’am?”

“No thanks, soldier. I got it.”

“Okay, but the street’s wet and slippery, your footing isn’t too steady, plus that handle looks like it’s about to—“

“No, really. I…appreciate your…Oh!! OH!!!”

And before she finds herself flat on her back with her duffle and knapsack on top of her, in the large puddle of water her driver purposefully parked in (she saw the smirk when he jumped out, leaving her to unload her own bags), Sgt. Sarah Wilson is pulled away and into the arms of a soldier.

A White soldier, with dark hair, blue-grey eyes, a good-natured grin, and very strong arms.

“Oh, no. No…I’m…pardon me…" She quickly searches for the insignia denoting rank, but there are none on this uniform which looks nothing like what other soldiers she’s seen wear.

“You can let me go now,” she says evenly. “I appreciate your help.” And not knowing his rank, she quickly added “Sir.”

She tried to extract herself from the man’s arms before anyone could see the two of them, but judging by the slight quirk of his lips and that amused look in his eyes, he wasn’t in a hurry to let go.

She’d seen that look before, but in addition to that look, something was a little bit familiar about him. She felt sure she’d met him before. And maybe he was just another one of the hundreds of soldiers she’s seen since she enlisted. Maybe. But that look in his eyes. For some reason, she sensed more mischief than threat. Still—

“I don’t need this kinda trouble here,” she whispers under her breath while trying to avoid being pulled any closer. “I just want to do my job and get back to—“

He makes sure her feet are under her before releasing her, and he takes a small step back as she straightens her uniform, adjusting her jacket collar and making sure her cap wasn’t askew.

“Thank you. I just got here and would’ve ended up looking like a…a wet hen in front of my C.O.”

“No problem. I was just tryin’ ta give you a hand there. Sorry ya just got here and already ya wanna leave…Sergeant.”

(This place may be named Birmingham, but he’s definitely a Yankee. Wait—)

“You…you heard that? I didn’t mean to—“

“You were saying that you wanted to leave.”

“I’m so sorry! I tend to talk to myself. Didn’t realize I was that loud.”

“No, it’s not that. It wasn’t loud. It was nice. Your voice is really nice. It’s just my hearing is…my senses are…I’m a sniper. Let’s just say I got good eyes and ears.”

“Well, really…thank you for your help…um…”

“Barnes,” he says, offering his hand. “Sergeant James Barnes, Special Operations. You can call me Bu—“

“Sergeant Barnes,” she addresses him and shakes his hand.

He holds onto her hand for a few seconds longer before letting go, and to her surprise, for a few seconds longer she lets him.

“Its a pleasure to meet you. I’m Sergeant Sarah Wilson, Six-Triple 8 Postal Delivery Battalion.”

“Say, you’re with that new all-women unit coming in to deal with the mail? The troops have been dying to get mail. It’s rough being over here as it is, especially with Christmas coming soon. Not hearing from home, a fella can feel pretty low.“

“No mail, low morale.”

“You got that right, sister. I mean, yes ma’am.”

“No mail, low morale is our motto.

I was told that at least a million pieces of Mail are backlogged ‘cause it’s coming in so fast, and a lot of it is just addressed to a name. Sometimes it’s a last name or even just a first name. On top of that, troops are just moved around so quickly that the mail can’t catch up with them. We’re going to be working 24/7 trying to figure out who these letters and packages are meant for and where the recipients are presently stationed.

And we have to make sure letters get back to families whose sons aren’t coming back home.”

“So…where’re they setting you all up?”

“I’m here to do some preliminary work at the site of an abandoned school where we’ll be living and working. They had to make sure there were quarters for Colored women. Had it been a few of us, they’ve put up a tent just outside of the warehouse.

Anyway. We’ve got our work cut out for us and we’ll be ready to go when we all get here.”

“If you need help finding anybody, if you need anything, just ask. Now…” he lifts her bags and steps aside. “lead the way.”

“As I said, Sergeant, I can take my own bags. It’s just down the road a piece. The driver said he had to get the jeep back to London or he’d’ve taken me out to the…look, It’s really not that far. Hey! Wait!” She runs after him, trying to avoid the puddles in the street. “Come back!”

“No ma’am. I insist. My Ma didn’t raise a bum that’d let a lovely lady like you—“

“Sergeant, please! People can hear and see you—“

“You and your squad are going to be doing us all a big favor,” he says, emphatically, slowing and finally stopping. “I mean, everybody here’s got people back home who care about them. I got a Ma and little sister in Brooklyn and they started writing me letters almost the day I shipped out. I been moved around a lot lately, and I know their letters and packages haven’t all gotten to me. Especially anything from Ma. She thinks all she has to do is write Jamie on the envelope, and the Army just knows who or where I am!”

“Jamie?”

He looks down, smiles to himself, shaking his head, and Sarah knows exactly why her job is important for the war effort.

“That’s what she…it’s James.” He looks back up and into her eyes. “You can say I’m selfish, Sargent Wilson, but I’d owe ya the Moon if you found something in that warehouse that my family sent to me.

Tell ya what, to show my appreciation in advance, there's a nice little pub here. Two world wars and they’re still in business. I hope I’m not being too forward, but, I’d like to take you out to dinner. Or, at least let a guy buy you a drink…or a cuppa coffee maybe sometime…if you’d like, that is.”

There’s an interesting mixture of confidence and charm with a little touch of bashfulness that almost catches her off guard.

“Sergeant Barnes, your dinner offer is kind, but…I’m sure you know that it might not be such a good idea you and I, socializing. After all, we’re—“

“We’re the same rank, on the same team, fighting the same enemy, Sergeant. If you’re worried about anybody having a problem ‘cause we’re…look, I’ve ve had drinks at that pub with all kinds o’ soldiers from all kinds of units, and nobody’s said a thing.

Well…except a Corporal one time.”

He glared off into the distance, and Sarah saw his eyes slightly narrow as if he was remembering something. He started walking again. Then he stopped and looked at her.

“The guy was a louse. A bigot, and a bully,” he continued. “It’s a shame what happened to his nose. And his teeth. My hand healed up pretty quick, though.

Nobody starts trouble when I show up at the pub with my friends.

Whaddaya say? By the way, I’m not expecting anything from you except your company, if that’s what you’re worried about. I don’t want you to think I’m some kinda creep or something. I’d really like to take you out to dinner.”

Sarah looked at the sniper with the sharp, blue eyes standing in front of her, holding her dufflebag and knapsack like he was holding someone’s precious possesions. And looking at her like he wanted her to believe what he was saying.

It wasn’t like she hadn’t eaten in a Mess Hall with a fellow soldier, but it was the Colored Mess Hall, with a Negro officer, not a public establishment with a White Sergeant.

There was something about this Sergeant, though, that made her feel like he was kind and could definitely handle any trouble that could possibly arise.

“Friends, huh? Okay, Sergeant.” She started walking. “I’ll think about it.”

He fought the urge to comment about her legs, but he did enjoy watching her walk away for a few steps before he began to follow her.

“Swell! Say, do you like music? Some o’ the guys are having a Christmas show…”

Out of the corner of her eye, the smile she saw that lit up his face was a little bit like he’d hit a jackpot, and a little bit like he was relieved she’d agree.

She almost laughed out loud at his exuberance, but still kept her demeanor professional in case eyes were on them.

Honking horns and shouting drew her attention to where she saw a small convoy of jeeps arrive.

The man driving the first jeep was dressed like Santa Claus and he had a bushy dark mustache over the phony white beard on his chin. He was smoking a cigar, and on top of his Santa hat was a bowler.

“Ho-ho-ho!!” He shouts as the other men laugh and join in.

The rest of the men were quite an interesting group: including one colored, one Asian, one man was wearing a cravat and a beret. They were all armed to the teeth, but they had a tree and packages, along with some baskets and bags of what looked like food and what seemed to be a small keg, and they looked vaguely familiar except one man, who was absolutely familiar.

Even from where she was she could see he was a little taller than Sergeant Barnes (who is a bit taller than her) and though he was muscular, he wasn’t burly. Physically, he was almost perfect in his blue uniform with red and white stripes and a star on the chest.

The man looks over at her and the Sergeant, smiles, and gives a wave. She’d seen him—all of them—in the newsreels back home.

(And he’s carrying a…)

“Excuse me, Sergeant, but…is—?”

“That’s my friend Steve,” he says waving back, “and that’s his squadron. We’re called The Howling Commandos.”

She looks back at the man holding her duffle and knapsack, and it dawns on her that she has seen him before. He’s Sargent Bucky Barnes.

“Come on,” he laughs, heading over to the group of boisterous soldiers, and carrying her bags with him. “I’ll introduce you to the fellas.”

She rushes to keep up and makes sure she doesn’t whisper aloud, thinking:

(Oh, Lord…what am I getting myself into over here? And wait ‘til Mama and Daddy hear that I met Gabe Jones!)

* * * * * * * * * *

SarahBucky Summer Prompt Fest 2023

Week 1: “Cookout” - Wilson Cookout Playlist

Week 3: “Cass & AJ Wilson” - Formal Introduction

Week 5: “Beat the Heat” - 7th Inning Stretch

Week 6: “Alternate Universe” - The Six Triple-8

* * * * * * * * * *

NOTES:

This quick little ficlet was inspired by the real-life 6888th Central Postal Delivery Squadron, an all woman, predominantly Black (with at least one Puerto Rican and a Mexican woman) squadron assembled to handle the enormous backlog of mail sent to the American troops in the European Theater during World War 2.

Images in my little moodboard are from their website and I’m not using them for profit, just inspiration and, yes, educational purposes because these women were real and heroes.

Please know that I used the words “Colored” and “Negro” on purpose as this story is set in the 1940s.

They are NOT pejoratives. They fell out of favor and were replaced by “Black” (at one time an insult, later embraced and owned by us and capitalized) and then “African/Afro-American”.

Sidenote, Kerry Washington will be starring in and Executive Producing a movie telling the Six Triple Eights’s story, and they’ll be back in production as soon as the AMPTP comes to their senses and comes correct by negotiating with the Writers Guild and the Screen Actors Guild. (#union strong.)

Thanks for reading!!

Also posted on the AO3. <—A bit more fleshed out!

#sarah wilson #bucky barnes #sarahbucky #buckysarah #sarah x bucky #bucky x sarah #sarah wilson x bucky barnes #bucky barnes x sarah wilson #sarahbucky au #sarahbucky fanfic #wwii au #sarahbucky bingo #sarahbucky summer prompts fest #fleur de louve #fleurdelouve #summer prompts #sarahbucky summer 2023 #fanfiction #black women heroes

25 notes · View notes

blackinperiodfilms · 1 year

Photo

Tyler Perry’s Six Triple Eight Cast

Kerry Washington will star and exec produce the film. Alongside her we’ll see Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Jay Reeves, Jeanté Godlock, Moriah Brown, Baadja-Lyne Odums, and Oprah Winfrey. Sam Waterston, Susan Sarandon, Gregg Sulkin and Dean Norris are also a part of the cast.

The WWII epic will tell the true story of The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion aka the Six Triple Eight.

#Tyler Perry #Six Triple Eight #Kerry Washington #Ebony Obsidian #Milauna Jackson #Kylie Jefferson #Shanice Shantay #Sarah Jeffery #Pepi Sonuga #Jeante Godlock #Moriah Brown #Baadja Lyne Odums #Oprah Winfrey #Jay Reeves #Black in Period Films

70 notes · View notes

yespumpkindoodlesthings · 1 year

Link

#black history

41 notes · View notes

musingsofahistorymajor · 1 year

Text

We finally have some set photos for Tyler Perry's movie "Six Triple Eight" which is about the all African American WAC unit, the 6888th Postal Battalion during World War II!!! And as a WAC reenactor and historian who has extensively studied both the WAC and the 6888th, THIS IS GONNA BE SO GOOD!! They all look amazing and perfect and it's incredible to see them all in uniform. I'M VERY EXCITED

(Photo source)

#badass ladies of history #wwii #world war ii #wac #women in wwii #womens army corps #six triple eight #6888th postal battalion #also i know the historical consultant personally and trust me she knows her stuff #their bags are on the wrong side but other than things look pretty accurate!#im so glad!#i can overlook the wrong side because they way they are wearing the bags is correct #and i appreciate that #just needs to flip sides is all #regs say its on right shoulder and sits on left hip

97 notes · View notes

reasoningdaily · 3 months

Text

February is Black History Month The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American society.

Cultural Expressions

Culture shapes lives. It’s in the food people eat, the languages they speak, the art they create, and many other ways they express themselves. These traditions reflect the history and creative spirit of African American and other cultures of the African diaspora. Cultural Expressions is a circular, experiential, introductory space to African American and African diaspora culture.

16 Black Artists to Know

Are you a fan of Glenn Ligon, Alma Thomas, or Gordon Parks? The National Gallery of Art paired eight Black artists you might know with eight others to discover.

Image Credit: Sam Gilliam, Wissahickon, 1975, color screenprint on wove paper, Gift of Funds from the Roy Lichtenstein Foundation, National Gallery of Art, Washington, 2023.22.17

Your Park Story: Black History and Heritage

More than 400 years of Black history and heritage are preserved in national parks and communities around the country. Discover stories shared by people who formed powerful connections with these places of history, nature, and enjoyment. Inspire others by sharing your “park story”!

Image credit: Girl takes photo in front of the “We Can Do It” sign at Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park (NPS)

Beginning Feb. 10, 2023, the museum will present a second group of portraits from Brian Lanker’s 1989 book project “I Dream a World: Portraits of Black Women Who Changed America.”

Image credit: “Althea Gibson” by Brian Lanker. Gelatin silver print, 1988. National Portrait Gallery.

For Teachers

Put the power of primary sources to work in the classroom. Browse ready-to-use lesson plans, student activities, collection guides and research aids.

Image credit: “Frederick Douglass appealing to President Lincoln and his cabinet to enlist Negroes,” mural by William Edouard Scott, at the Recorder of Deeds building, built in 1943. 515 D St., NW, Washington, D.C. (Library of Congress)

Veterans History

African Americans serving in the military service throughout U.S. history have often fought on two fronts. fighting the actual enemy and fighting a system of segregation and exclusion.

Image credit: Violet Hill Gordon, 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, Women's Army Corps (Library of Congress)

#February is Black History Month #us.gov #us park service #library of congress #Black HIstory 2024 #2024 #Black History Month #Black History Matters

3 notes · View notes

taraross-1787 · 2 years

Photo

This Day in History: The Women of SixTripleEight

On this day in 1943, a young woman enlists in the Women’s Army Corps. Twenty-two-year-old Maybelle Rutland would go on to serve in the 6888th Central Postal Battalion during World War II. The “SixTripleEight,” as the battalion came to be known, was the only all-black, all-female Army unit to serve overseas during the war. Yet when those 855 women boarded the French ocean liner SS Ile de France on February 3, 1945, they had no idea what their mission was to be. They knew only that they were traveling from the United States to England, and they would receive their mission once they arrived. They went anyway. The story continues here: https://www.taraross.com/post/tdih-six-triple-eight

#tdih #otd #this day in history #history #history blog #world war ii #african american history #wwii #us army #sharethehistory

27 notes · View notes

sfc-paulchambers · 1 year

Photo

Led by Major Charity Adams, the highest-ranking Black woman in the U.S. Army during WWII, the 6888th was the only all-Black women’s battalion sent overseas during the war. Composed of 824 enlisted soldiers and 31 officers from the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), the 6888th was activated in November 1944 due to a scarcity of qualified postal directory personnel in the European Theater and tasked with helping resolve serious postal delays that were harming troop morale. Arriving in Birmingham, England in February 1945, they found warehouses crowded from floor to ceiling with letters and packages. The women of “Six Triple Eight” worked in three rounds of eight-hour shifts all week long, in a building that was not heated and often had rodents searching for goods in packages. Sorting the mail was challenging because so many soldiers had common names, much of the mail had incorrect addresses, and because units were constantly relocating. The 6888th used seven million information cards to stay organized, and their work ethic marveled the community around them. Their goal was further complicated by racism and sexism. For example, a local club run by the American Red Cross hosted Black and white servicemen and white servicewomen but refused to host the women of the 6888th. This prompted Major Adams to lead the unit in a boycott of all segregated Red Cross services. Six Triple Eight also dealt with rumors and hostility from white and black soldiers who were not fond of black women in the Army. The 6888th persevered, processing 65,000 pieces of mail every shift and completing their initial mission in three months rather than the expected six. They were trailblazers of their time and their commander, Major Charity Adams, became the first Black woman to earn the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. If you’re ready to be a part of #history & #armyhistory then contact me now #blacksoldiers #bearmystrong #bedifferent #theydiditwhycantyou #whatsyourexcuse #usarmyreserve #bedifferent #blackhistorymonth #bearmystrong #dosomethingpositive for your #futureself #dosomethingworthwatching #usarmyreserve #globallypositioned #armywomensmuseum Posted @withregram • @armyhistory (at Spring Hill, Tennessee) https://www.instagram.com/p/CoSSz4SOLL4/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#history #armyhistory #blacksoldiers #bearmystrong #bedifferent #theydiditwhycantyou #whatsyourexcuse #usarmyreserve #blackhistorymonth #dosomethingpositive #futureself #dosomethingworthwatching #globallypositioned #armywomensmuseum

2 notes · View notes