Episode 11 - Edna W. Cummings: The 6888 and Black Women During the War

Today we will continue to explore the amazing story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion—the only all-Black Women's Army Corps unit to serve in Europe during World War II depicted in the new Netflix historical movie. And to help us to continue this journey we have the honor to talk to Edna W. Cummings! Who is Edna W. Cummings: A native of Fayetteville, NC, Col. Cummings operates a Washington DC area consultancy specializing in management and proposal services for federal and commercial clients. She was the first African American woman to earn her commission as an Army officer through the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Appalachian State University (ASU), Boone, NC. Afterwards, she embarked on a distinguished 25-year military career in a variety of progressive assignments culminating with senior-level positions at Georgetown University, the Pentagon, and NORAD/USNORTHCOM in Colorado Springs. Since January 2018, retired Army Col. Edna W. Cummings has worked to bring recognition to the all-black WWII Women’s Army Corps unit the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion also known as the Six Triple Eight. As a citizen advocate, she raised funds for the 6888th monument and co-produced an award winning documentary about the unit. She successfully championed the effort with Congress to enact passage of the Six Triple Eight Congressional Gold Medal Act. Col. Cummings holds a Master of Strategic Studies, Army War College, and a Master of Science Degree in Foundations of Education, Troy State University. She is also a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Quartermaster Officers’ Basic and Advanced Courses, Fort Lee and the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, Patrick Air Force Base. As an Army officer, she received the Defense Superior Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medals (three awards), Army Commendation Awards (four awards), Joint Service Commendation Award, Army Superior Unit, Reserve Forces Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Staff Identification Badge. Among other the many other military and civic recognitions, in March 2020, Col. Cummings was inducted into the Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame  and the Military Officers Association of America selected her as one its national Changemakers. In July 2022, she received the NAACP’s Jesse Brown Leadership Award. And lastly she is the author of the book entitled: A Soldier's Life: A Black Woman's Rise from Army Brat to Six Triple Eight Champion (The Black Soldier in War and Society: New Narratives and Critical Perspectives) coming out on May of 2025. Don’t forget that this show is available on YouTube, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon and Apple. Be sure to like, subscribe, and engage with us — it really helps the project! For WWII content and updates about the show, follow us on Instagram at @worldwarii_daily and @samuel.dekorte. Links related to the show: Edna's Instagram: @6888ww2 Edna’s book: https://www.upress.virginia.edu/title/10090/ https://www.amazon.com/Soldiers-Life-Champion-Narratives-Perspectives/dp/0813953146 The interview Edna mentioned:  https://www.cbsnews.com/news/crescencia-garcia-world-war-ii-veteran/