WOMEN'S HISTORY: HOUSE VOTES TO AWARD ALL-BLACK FEMALE WWII UNIT THE CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL
"BLACK WAC" HISTORY
The first Black women regiment of the Women's Army Corp (WAC) in history to serve over seas in the military will receive the high commendation of a Congressional Gold Medal following several years of advocacy for their efforts to be recognized.
The House voted unanimously to pass legislation to award the distinction to those who were assigned to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the “Six Triple Eight,” during World War II.
For months American service people and government personnel did not recive their mail. This group is known for processing a backlog of 17 million pieces of mail in 3 months. Like most Blacks in military service they did not get the credit they deserved at the time. Standing on the motto, "no mail, no morale," their work ensured troops received morale-boosting correspondence from home and they completed the job in half the time that was projected! These women had produced a mail processin system that worthy of commendation.
In 1945, many Americans were against women, especially Black women serving in the military. Enduring both racism and sexism amid segregation, the 855 member strong group served in both Birmingham, England and parts of France before returning to New Jersey in the United States. They had faced segregation on top of the poor working conditions brought on by war.
Maj. Charity Adams, the leader of what was known as “Six Triple Eight,”, was once threatened with having her post given to a White man. She responded, "Over my dead body, sir." When the senior oficer attempted to have her court marshalled she filed a complaint against him. He backed off.
For her wartime leadership, Adams was promoted to Lt. Colonel upon her return to the U.S.
In a 1990 interview wirh Brgadire Gen. Evelyn P. Foot (Ret. Army) for the W.A.C Museum Foundation, Adams recalled that
A 101-year-old Tempe, AZ resident and retired Army Major Fannie Griffin McClendon was a member of the Battalion.
“It’s overwhelming,” Maj. Fannie Griffin McClendon, who is 101 and lives in Arizona, said when told of the vote. “It’s something I never even thought about it. I don’t know if I can stand this.”
Rep. Greg Stanton, an original co-sponsor of the bill, recorded Maj. McClendon’s oral history of for the Library of Congress’s Veterans History Project in 2019.
“Despite facing racism and sexism, Major Fannie McClendon and the brave women of the 'Six-Triple-Eight' answered the call of duty during World War II. This is a long overdue recognition of our gratitude for their service to their country,” Stanton said following the bill’s passage.
"Many of the women had plenty of success after getting out of the military.
Elizabeth Barker Johnson was the first female to attend Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina on the GI Bill. She took part in the school’s graduation ceremony at the age of 99 — 70 years after getting her degree. Hunt-Martin worked for the New York State Department of Labor for 41 years.
McClendon joined the Air Force after the military was integrated and retired in 1971. She was the first female to command an all-male squadron with the Strategic Air Command. Another unit member, the late Doris Moore, became the first Black social worker in New Hampshire, her family said.
“This is a long-overdue honor and recognition for the women of the Six Triple Eight, including New Hampshire’s own Doris Moore,” New Hampshire Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas said in a statement. “Doris and her sisters in arms were trailblazers and patriots who answered the call to service. It’s even more remarkable that their sacrifice and service in defense of freedom came at a time when many of the very freedoms they fought for were not yet available to them.”
Only seven women who are known to have served in the unit are living today. Over the years individuals have been recognized with medals and various honors, but the Congressional Godl Medal will recognize their collective contribution to the nation.
The bill now heads to the President’s desk for signature.
