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The 6th Cavalry Museum continues its recognition of Black History Month with the virtual opening of “The 6888th in Fort Oglethorpe,” exhibit about the only all-female, all-African American Women’s Army Corps unit to serve overseas during World War II. Before shipping out to England in 1945, the unit did their overseas training at Fort Oglethorpe, then an active U.S. Army base.
The museum received a $28,000 African American Civil Rights Historic Preservation Fund grant to commemorate and educate the public about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion in April, 2020. The grant is a portion of the $14 million African American Civil Rights Historic Preservation Fund. The 6th Cavalry Museum was one of 51 projects across 20 states and the District of Columbia that was funded in 2020. Projects will preserve sites and history related to the African American struggle for equality in the 20th century.
The Zoom virtual opening is Thursday, Feb. 25, from 7-8 p.m. Guest panelists for the virtual opening are Colonel US Army (Retired) Edna Cummings, Producer of Lincoln Penny Films “The Six-Triple-Eight” documentary. Col. Cummings will be joined by 6th Cavalry Museum Director Chris McKeever and exhibit curator Molly Sampson. Registration is free and available through Eventbrite. The exhibit opens to the public on Friday, Feb. 26, at 10 a.m.
The four education video topics are Origins of the WAC, The Fight for Overseas Service, Training at Fort Oglethorpe and Overseas Service in the 6888th. The videos were produced by Louis Lee’s production company L2Images with local actress Shonda Bryant portraying Mary, a member of the 6888th as she writes home to tell her parents about her experience at Fort Oglethorpe and England.
The public can learn more about the “6888th in Fort Oglethorpe” exhibit and education program by visiting the 6th Cavalry Museum website or calling (706) 861-2860.
U.S. Army retired Col. Edna Cummings, “The Six Triple Eight” documentary film producer, and Sophie Green, a guest, hold a 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion uniform belonging Pvt. Grace Vairin. The jacket is on loan to the 6th Cavalry Museum for the exhibit.