The stranger-than-fiction true story that inspired Netflix’s The Six Triple Eight
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Netflix has launched an inspirational drama about African-American women's immense efforts during World War Two. Starring Kerry Washington, The Six Triple Eight follows the USA's first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of colour, stationed in Europe during the war.
Known as the 6888th, the unit consisted of 855 predominantly Black women who were tasked with sorting through a three-year backlog of mail. Army officers believed morale on the US front lines was dropping because the servicemen were not receiving news from home.
The soldiers' mission came after civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune, played by Oprah Winfrey, raised concerns to the White House about Black women being appointed to meaningful democratic roles. Her organisation, the National Council for Negro Women, played a crucial role in women of colour being appointed pivotal roles in the Women's Army Corps.
Washington portrays Major Charity Adams, who made history as the first Black woman to command an overseas battalion for the US army. Adams' leadership qualities flourished when the unit journeyed to the UK in February 1945 and were stationed at King Edward’s School, in Birmingham. They were given six months to file through 17 million letters, many of which were addressed to nicknames or had been destroyed by rats, after festering in warehouses for years.
Adams' team worked in three eight-hour shifts using an airtight filing system. They managed to half their deadline, accomplishing the goal in just 90 days. During that time, the major ensured her troopers were looked after by creating a comfortable environment, equipped with a refreshment bar and hair salon.
