In a dimly lit hangar, the rhythmic shuffle of envelopes punctuates the air as women, resilient and resolute, sort through mountains of mail. This scene, echoing the quiet heroism of a forgotten chapter in history, comes to life in Tyler Perry’s latest film, “Six Triple Eight,” soon streaming on Netflix. The film shines a spotlight on the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only predominantly Black, all-female unit of the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) to serve overseas during World War II.
Nicknamed the “Six Triple Eight,” this battalion of 855 women, including three Latinas, was led by Major Charity Adams. The unit’s motto, “No mail, low morale,” defined their mission to boost the spirits of soldiers by ensuring the delivery of long-overdue letters and packages. Organized into five companies—Headquarters, Company A, Company B, Company C, and Company D—the 6888th was a self-sufficient unit. While most served as postal clerks, others worked as cooks, mechanics, and in various support roles.
The 6888th was created in response to a significant shortage of soldiers to manage the postal service for the U.S. Army overseas. In 1944, civil rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune sought support from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to advocate for Black women’s roles in the war effort. Black newspapers also pressured the U.S. Army to assign meaningful jobs to Black women. Those who enlisted underwent basic training in Georgia, joining from various assignments, including the Pentagon.
Among these trailblazers was 1st Lt. Lillian W. Duncan, a distinguished alumna of Talladega College. Duncan, who graduated in 1937 with a B.A. in social studies and English, played a vital role in clearing a massive backlog of 17 million pieces of mail, providing a crucial link between soldiers and their families.
After the war, Duncan continued her service, returning to active duty in 1949 as a captain in the U.S. Air Force. She was stationed in London and later at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey, where she earned the Air Force Commendation Medal. Retiring as a major in 1964, she dedicated the next chapter of her life to education, teaching English and social studies in the Trenton public school system for 15 years.
Perry’s “Six Triple Eight,” starring Kerry Washington, captures the physical challenges and discrimination these women faced in a segregated military, focusing on their perseverance and dedication. Produced alongside Nicole Avant, Angi Bones, Tony L. Strickland, Keri Selig, and Carlota Espinosa, the film is a tribute to the indomitable will of women like Duncan, who forged a vital link between home and the front lines.
Duncan passed away on May 3, 2010, in her hometown of Talladega, Alabama. Her legacy, along with those of her fellow servicewomen, continues to inspire. Through “Six Triple Eight,” Perry ensures their stories endure, inviting audiences to discover and celebrate these remarkable women and the institutions that shaped them.
The film was released in select cinemas on December 6, 2024, ahead of its streaming debut by Netflix on December 20, 2024.
