Saluting HERstorie: Charity Adams and the 6 Triple 8 Battalion

In 1942, the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (W.A.A.C.) opened its doors to 40 Black women, marking a historic moment in history. Among them, Charity Adams became the first Black woman commissioned in the corps, setting the stage for her remarkable journey.

In 1944, propelled by the efforts of Mary McLeod Bethune and Eleanor Roosevelt, the War Department took a significant step. Their goal was twofold: streamline soldiers' mail and provide Black women with fuller participation in the war effort. This initiative led to the creation of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, with Charity Adams at the helm.

As the highest-ranking Black woman in World War II, Adams commanded the 855 women of the 6888th. Their mission in England was daunting—sorting through a backlog of mail that had accumulated over two years, plagued by rats. The lack of labeled packages and the prevalence of common names like Robert Smith and John Jones initially seemed like an insurmountable challenge. Adams, however, rose to the occasion, showcasing the resilience for which Black women are renowned.

The 6 Triple 8 devised its system, working three shifts, seven days a week. Each shift handled an impressive 65,000 pieces of mail, completing a supposed six-month task in just three months by May 1945.

Despite the significant contributions and sacrifices made by Black soldiers overseas, official military desegregation did not occur until 1948. Shockingly, it took until 2019 for any member of the 6 Triple 8 to receive the recognition they deserved. Today and every day, we honor and appreciate the 6 Triple 8 for their invaluable contributions to history. Thank you.