The story of the Black Women’s Battalion that came from the United States to England during World War II to address the postal crisis remained hidden for decades, but they have finally received the recognition they deserve, according to a report by BBC that included interviews with relatives of the battalion members known as "6888".
The report reveals that in 1945, while the war was raging across much of the globe, 855 women answered the call of the U.S. Army to boost the morale of soldiers and solve the problem of accumulated letters and packages that had piled up in England for two years. The battalion sailed from America to the United Kingdom, where its members settled in Birmingham.
Major Charity Adams, who was 26 at the time, became the first Black woman to lead a battalion of the U.S. Army abroad and she and her unit contributed to solving a massive problem. The women's battalion was given six months to complete their mission but managed to finish it in half that time by forming teams that worked around the clock, sorting and categorizing 17 million letters and packages. Through this, these women were able to lift the spirits of soldiers on the front lines who had lost contact with their loved ones back home.
Retired Colonel Edna Cummings, who served in the U.S. Army for 25 years, stated, "I rarely hear anything about the Black women who served in the military during World War II, as if they were erased from history."
The women’s battalion made King Edward School in Birmingham their headquarters before later moving to Rouen and Paris in France. They faced numerous challenges, including outdated equipment, cultural differences, and discrimination against women. These women worked in dimly lit, overcrowded buildings that lacked heating, with piles of letters and packages reaching the ceiling. Many reported being surrounded by rats and mice trying to reach spoiled food inside the mail packages.
Despite these obstacles, the women overcame all challenges and earned a reputation for their efficiency and dedication. When the unit— which also included some women from Latin America—returned to the United States in 1946, they were not celebrated or acknowledged for their achievements.
However, after approximately 80 years, the battalion finally received the honor it deserves. Their story is the subject of a film written by Tyler Perry, set to premiere on Netflix. The film stars Oprah Winfrey and Kerry Washington, and the idea for it came when Perry read an article by WWII historian Kevin M. Hymel in 2019. This film, along with Colonel Cummings’ vigorous efforts to highlight the accomplishments of these women, served as a catalyst for recognizing the achievements of the 6888 Battalion globally.
