Women’s History Month is almost over, and I am so pleased to be able to tell you a story about the Six Triple Eight before the close of the month of March. Thanks to actress Kerri Washington and a cast of other fabulous actresses and actors, they brought the real story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion to life in a movie titled The 6888. If you haven’t seen the movie, it is a must-see, and it’s available on Netflix. The movie just won top honors at the NAACP Image Awards, deservingly so.
In short, Black women, during World War II, worked their butts off against all odds and racism, topping the way to make sure that American soldiers in Europe got their mail from loved ones. Even though these fearless Black women beat the odds and did their jobs at a su- perior level, when they died, the United States Army gave them no respect, no marked grave. Nothing.
Thank God for the NAACP and a few other groups shining the spotlight on these heroic women so they can get their just due now.
In honor of National Women’s History Month, The Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee of the NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference will host a special luncheon Sunday, March 30, 2025, from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm in the York County History Center, 121 North Pershing Avenue in York, PA, to officially launch the Unmarked Gravesite Initiative. This initiative is dedicated to honoring the legacy of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the first and only all-Black, all-female unit to serve overseas during World War II. These trailblazing women courageously defied racial and gender barriers, ensuring that millions of pieces of backlogged mail reached U.S. Troops in Europe, boosting morale and contributing to the war effort.
The Unmarked Gravesite Initiative seeks to identify and properly mark the graves of the 6888th members, fund headstone installations for unmarked graves, provide cleaning supplies and gardening equipment to maintain gravesites, support volunteers with food during service days, and purchase floral wreaths to honor these heroic women.
Of the nearly 900 women who served in the 6888th, thirty-six of them are known to be buried in Pennsylvania cemeteries, with several resting in unmarked graves. This project ensures their sacrifices are acknowledged, and their contributions are never forgotten.
The luncheon will unite sponsors, elected officials, JROTC Cadets, ranking African American Veterans, and community leaders to raise awareness and support for this historic cause. Attendees will hear from distinguished guest speakers, learn about the 688th vital role in military history, and take part in a special tribute to the women awaiting proper recognition.
“We are committed to ensuring the women of the 6888th are remembered with the honor and dignity they deserve,” said Samantha Dorm, Project Coordinator and member of the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee. Their service broke barriers, and it is our responsibility to preserve their legacy for future generations”.
Funds raised from this event will directly support grave identification, marker installation restoration efforts, and ongoing historical research.
During the luncheon three African American women from Pennsylvania will be honored for the tireless work they do. They are the former Mayor of York, PA, the Honorable C. Kim Bracey. C. Kim Bracey served as the 24th Mayor of York, Pennsylvania, from January 4, 2010, to January 2, 2018. She was the first African American mayor of the city and the second woman to hold the office. The second award recipient is Minister Robin Shine Maddox, Founder of a nonprofit organization called Celebrating Sisterhood, which started the annual She Shines Conference, which takes place in the city of Philadelphia every year.
The third award recipient will be the Honorable Samantha Dorm.
The keynote speaker for the luncheon will be Pennsylvania State Representative Carol Hill-Evans, who represents the 95th Legislative District.
The Unmarked Gravesite Initiative is a project led by the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs Committee of the NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference. It aims to identify and properly mark the final resting places of the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Bat- talion through community engagement research and restoration efforts. The initiative ensures these groundbreaking women receive the recognition they deserve. Let’s honor the past, serve in the present, and build a future rooted in justice and recognition. Stacey Taylor, President of the NAACP Pennsylvania State Conference, and a committee of workers are pushing hard not just for their event on March 30, to raise funds for this unmarked grave initiative but to keep the story active across the community and across the nation so that the women of the 6888 get all they deserve, for the labor and work they did for America. In short, fundraising work will continue after March 30, as well.
For more information, call Rev. Tony Fields at 267-560-7310 or email naacppastateconference@gmail.com
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