The 6888: Women Who Changed History

Story by Kaeden Burke. Photo courtesy of America Comes Alive.

There is a new movie on Netflix called The Six Triple Eight written and directed by Tyler Perry. This movie is about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, also known as the Six Triple Eight. The Six Triple Eight were an all-Black battalion of the U.S. Women’s Army Corps that managed postal services led by Major Charity Adams. These women were heroes that never wore capes. 

During World War ll, the Six Triple Eight were sent overseas, as there was a shortage of soldiers who were able to manage the postal service for the U.S Army abroad. In 1944, Mary McLoed Bethune worked hard to get the approval of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt for Black women to be allowed to fight in the war. The 6888th had a total of 855 women, and were the only Black U.S. Women's Army Corps unit. Most of the women of the 6888th worked as clerks, however others worked as cooks, mechanics and other support positions.

The 6888th invented their own system to handle taking care of the mail. The system was important because it helped keep soldiers in a positive spirit, and allowed them to talk to their families while far away at war.

Members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion were awarded the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War ll Victory during their service. In 2019, the U.S. Army awarded the 6888th a Meritorious Unit Commendation. The legacy of The 6888th will be long-lived and remembered by many.

Kaden Burke is a 6th grade scholar at Friendship Southeast Academy.