Edna W. Cummings – 6888th, Central Postal Directory Battalion
The U.S. Army’s 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion was the only all-minority, all-female Women’s Army Corps (WAC) unit to serve overseas during World War II. The primary mission of the “Six Triple Eight,” as the unit was popularly known, was to sort the two- to three-year backlog of undelivered mail for U.S. service members in the European theater of war. The unit, organized on March 4, 1945 in Birmingham, England, contained about 850 officers and enlisted personnel who formed four companies. Whereas most Black units in the military contained white officers, every position in the 6888th was staffed by Black women.
Colonel Edna W. Cummings, U.S. Army (Retired) Six Triple Eight Advocate, Author, and Congressional Gold Medal Champion
Retired Army Colonel Edna W. Cummings is a true example of a social entrepreneur and change-maker. Her career path can be described with three words: service, leadership, and change. Col. Cummings was the first African American woman to receive a commission as an Army Officer from Appalachian State University in her home state of North Carolina. Afterwards, she served in key positions in the U.S. Army, and held leadership positions in multi-million dollar businesses, worked on national initiatives, and was able to bring recognition to the all-Black WWII Women’s Army Corps unit, Six Triple Eight. Col. Cummings championed the legislative effort to enact passage of the Six Triple Eight Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021, signed by the President in March 2022. This is the nation’s highest civilian honor. Cummings, has been recognized as a national leader by bipartisan elected officials, and diverse social and business organizations.