John B. Cade Library to showcase legacy of historic World War II women’s battalion

John B. Cade Library to showcase legacy of historic World War II women's battalion

Southern University and A&M College's John B. Cade Library will welcome family members of the historic 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, known as the Six Triple Eight, to campus Friday, Nov. 13, for the launch of a special exhibit honoring the women who served during World War II. Their story is one of courage, perseverance and service, and the exhibit will bring that history closer to home by highlighting several women with ties to Louisiana and Southern University.

The exhibit will tell the stories of battalion members through historical storyboards and artifacts, offering visitors an opportunity to learn more about the women whose contributions helped shape American military history.

Among the featured artifacts will be the World War II uniform of Theresa Mae Bell, a member of the 6888th and a Southern University alumna. The National WWII Museum has loaned Bell's uniform for the exhibit.

"As the Dean of Libraries at Southern University, I am deeply honored that the John B. Cade Library has the opportunity to celebrate the extraordinary women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion," said Dawn Kight, dean of libraries at Southern University. "These courageous women broke barriers, defied expectations, and demonstrated the power of perseverance, service, and determination during World War II. As a library, we have a responsibility not only to preserve history but also to ensure that stories like theirs are told, remembered, and celebrated for generations to come. Through this exhibit and our 68,888 for the 6888 Forever Stamp Initiative, we hope to give these remarkable women the national recognition they so richly deserve. Their legacy is not just Black history or women's history-it is American history."

Family members of the women featured in the exhibit will attend the Nov. 13 reception at the library starting at 6 p.m., providing an opportunity to recognize the contributions and lasting legacies of their loved ones. The exhibit will remain on display at the John B. Cade Library through the end of November.

The Six Triple Eight was the only all-female, predominantly Black Women's Army Corps battalion deployed overseas during World War II. In 1945, the unit was sent to England to address a massive backlog of undelivered military mail that had left service members waiting months to hear from loved ones back home.

Led by Maj. Charity Adams, the battalion worked around the clock to restore communication between military personnel and their families. Operating three eight-hour shifts, seven days a week, the women processed approximately 65,000 pieces of mail per shift, clearing a backlog that had been expected to take six months in just three.

Despite facing racial and gender discrimination during their service, the women of the Six Triple Eight completed their mission and helped demonstrate the essential role women played in the nation's military history.

The exhibit comes as efforts continue nationwide to secure greater recognition for the battalion. The 6888 Stamp Project Team is coordinating a campaign to collect 68,888 signatures requesting that the U.S. Postal Service issue a commemorative Forever stamp honoring the unit. Donations are not required to sign the petition.

The battalion's legacy will also be recognized Saturday, Nov. 14, during the Southern University Jaguars' football game against Alcorn State University. Family members of the Six Triple Eight will be recognized on the field alongside fellow veterans as part of a special tribute. Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) football programs are also participating in a league-wide effort to honor the battalion by displaying commemorative helmet stickers and promoting the Forever Stamp initiative during their games.

Through the exhibit and recognition efforts, the John B. Cade Library aims to highlight the contributions of the women of the Six Triple Eight, particularly those with ties to Louisiana and Mississippi, and help ensure their service and sacrifice remain part of the nation's history.

To sign the petition, click here. To donate to the Six Triple Eight exhibit launch and welcome reception, click here. For more information, or to RSVP, contact the John B. Cade Library at 225-771-2841.