In Episode 66, we dive into the feature film THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT with Professor Brenda L. Moore author of “To Serve My Country, To Serve My Race: The Story of the Only African American WACS Stationed Overseas During World War II.” THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT film and Professor Moore’s book tell the story of the 6888th battalion, and the extraordinary mission of these unsung heroes of World War II who delivered hope and shattered barriers.

The conversation explores the history behind the film including the women and leadership of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. We also discuss…

History of Women's Auxiliary Army Corps and Woman's Army Corps (WAC)
Challenges and Achievements of The Six Triple Eight
Black Military Women's Leadership, Community, and Support
Impacts of World War 2 on Black women
Modern parallels and continued challenges re: race and gender in the military

SPOILER ALERT -There is some detailed discussion about key moments in the film

Download the Transcript for Episode 66

GUEST

They weren’t really applauded for their work until more recent years. And so they were kind of ignored — The 688th were. They sort of knew within themselves. And that’s one of the things that a community does. A community realizes that…although you are wrongfully being done wrong by the broader society, we understand that. We recognize your worth.
Professor Brenda L. Moore, College of Arts and Sciences, University at Buffalo.

BRENDA L. MOORE

Professor Brenda L. Moore is associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology in the University at Buffalo’s College of Arts and Sciences. She has been recognized many times for her work as a sociologist researching in the fields of race and ethnic relations, military sociology, gender, and social stratification.
Professor Moore is the author of the books “**To Serve My Country, to Serve My Race: The Story of the Only African American WACS Stationed Overseas during World War II**” published (1996, New York University Press); and “**Serving Our Country: Japanese American Women in the Military During World War II**” (2003, Rutgers University Press).

Professor Moore completed three years of service as a member of the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS), advising the Secretary of Defense on military matters concerning active-duty women. From 2016 - 2022 she served as a member of the Veterans’ Rural Health Advisory Committee providing advice to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs on healthcare issues affecting Veterans residing in rural areas.

In 2023, Professor Moore received the Morris Janowitz Career Achievement Award from The Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society. Professor Moore was cited for her outstanding contributions to military sociology, her service to the organization’s journal and its community of scholars, and her public service addressing issues important to military personnel and veterans. She currently serves on the Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society’s Board of Directors.

Go to this link for a complete bio.

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“To Serve My Country, to Serve My Race: The Story of the Only African American WACS Stationed Overseas During World War II” by Brenda L. Moore
also by Brenda L. Moore “Japanese American Women in the Military during World War II”
“One Woman’s Army: A Black Officer Remembers the WAC ” by Charity Adams Earley

“No Mail, Low Morale”
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion

Comprised of 855 women, of which 824 were enlisted and 31 were officers, the 6888 was the first African American all-female battalion. The battalion’s commanding officer Maj. Charity Adams was a member of the first female officer training class in Iowa and the first African American female commissioned officer, she also held the record for highest ranking African American female officer by the end of the war and became a Lt. Colonel.

The “6888” was the first and only all women battalion to be deployed overseas. They faced life threatening conditions soon after they set sail for Europe. On their 2 week trek across the Atlantic Ocean they survived brushes with German U Boats that were close enough that their ship was forced to maneuver so sharply that it sent pots and pans clanging down to the floor. Then, upon their arrival in February 1945, they were greeted by a V1 rocket, known as a Buzz Bomb, which sent them running for shelter across the frozen slippery snow covered ground. After their eventful arrival they immediately boarded a train and headed to Birmingham, England.

Their assignment was to sort and redirect the delivery of the millions of backlogged letters and packages that had all but ceased to be delivered before their arrival. Some of which had already been delayed by as much as 2 years stacked and packed into 3 air hangars from floor-to-ceiling.

Birmingham was supposed to be a 6 month assignment. However, the 6888 completed their assignment in just half that time. In May of 1945, just 3 months after arriving in Europe, they had done the impossible. Their efforts were so successful that they were then reassigned to Rouen, France to get the mail moving there.

Source: Women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion

THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT

Trailer for THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT (2024)

THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT tells the story of the first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color to serve overseas during WWII. These unsung heroes were given an extraordinary mission. Despite facing racism and sexism - and grueling working conditions - these African American women — over 800 strong — were committed to serving their country with honor and distinction Their accomplishments delivered hope to millions of war time soldiers and their families, and also shattered racial and gender barriers.

Written and directed by Tyler Perry, THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT film is based on the article, “Fighting A Two-Front War’’ by Kevin M. Hymel published in “WWII History Magazine” in 2022. The film stars Kerry Washington as Major Charity Adams, the commanding officer of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.

Portraying real-life persons from this historical moment in the 1940s are

Ebony Obsidian as Corporal Lena Derriecott King
Milauna Jackson as Captain Abby Noel Campbell
Gregg Sulkin as Abram David
Susan Sarandon as First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt
Sam Waterston as President Franklin D. Rooselvelt
and Oprah Winfrey as Mary McLeod Bethune.

The ensemble cast also includes Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Moriah Brown, Jeanté Godlock, and Dean Norris.

The film also features an Academy Award-nominated original song written by Diane Warren and performed by H.E.R., and choreography by Debbie Allen. THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT is available on Netflix.

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