Forgotten battalion of black women celebrated in film

The Six Triple Eight is a new film that will be available on Netflix starting December 20. This movie tells the remarkable story of 855 black women who traveled from the United States to Birmingham, England, during World War Two. Their mission was to tackle a significant issue: a backlog of 17 million letters that had been stuck for two years. These women worked tirelessly to ensure that the letters reached the soldiers fighting in the war and their families back home. Major Charity Adams, who led the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, is portrayed by actress Kerry Washington. In a powerful scene, Major Adams addresses her team, stating, 'Ladies, we have been ordered to provide hope and communication and care packages to our exhausted soldiers on the front line. ' This highlights the crucial role these women played during a challenging time in history. Major Adams faced a daunting task, but she believed in her team and was determined to help them succeed. She remarked, 'Everybody thought it was impossible, what they were up against,' which emphasizes how underestimated these women were. However, they proved everyone wrong with their hard work and dedication. The film is directed by Tyler Perry, who aimed to bring the story of these courageous women to a global audience. He explained that the women were tasked with delivering letters that had been neglected, some of which were moldy, and many names were difficult to read. The challenge they faced was immense, but the women were resolute in their mission. Major Adams stated in the film, 'They have only given us a six-month ticking clock,' indicating the limited time they had to complete their work. She understood that without mail, the soldiers would experience low morale and sadness. The 6888th Battalion was unique as it was the first and only Women's Army Corps unit of color to be stationed in Europe during World War Two. The battalion primarily consisted of black women, but it also included women of Caribbean and Mexican descent. They were based at King Edward's School in Edgbaston, Birmingham, where they sorted through the massive amount of mail. In the film, Kerry Washington discusses how the women faced not only the challenges of the war but also racism and sexism. Even after returning home, they encountered prejudice from people who could not believe in their accomplishments. Some individuals thought they were only sent to be with the male soldiers, which was far from the truth. As a result, many of these women chose not to share their experiences or talk about their legacy. Washington highlights a powerful line from the film, where Charity Adams states, 'we are fighting a war on every front. ' This signifies that they were battling against various issues, not just the war itself. One of the women from the battalion, Elizabeth Barker Johnson, shared her story when she was 98 years old. She recalled a moment when she picked up a package and felt a sense of joy because she could send it to the soldier it belonged to. Families of the 6888th Battalion visited King Edward's School last year to honor their loved ones. One descendant, Janice Martin, expressed, 'All I knew is she was in the military. She served, she said we had a job to do and we came home and nobody ever said anything more after that until these last few years. ' This illustrates the importance of remembering and celebrating the achievements of these women. The 6888th Battalion completed their mission in just three months, which was significantly faster than anyone anticipated. Major Charity Adams made history as the first black woman to command an overseas battalion in the US Army, earning immense respect from her team. Kerry Washington admires her character, stating, 'People talk about loving her, respecting her because even though she was strict and stern and tough they knew that she wanted the best for them and that she loved them. ' This reflects the kind of leader she was, someone who inspired her team and helped them reach their full potential. The Six Triple Eight film will be available on Netflix on December 20, and it is a story that everyone should take the time to watch.