Tyler Perry’s WWII drama “The Six Triple Eight” tells the true story of an all-Black unit of the Women’s Army Corps, a group that faced racism and sexism despite their impossible assignment. The film stars Kerry Washington and Oprah Winfrey.
During World War II, 855 women from the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion were given six months to sort through 17 million pieces of undelivered mail in airplane hangars. Their mission was crucial but seemingly impossible. One member, Lena Derriecott King, joined the unit after losing her friend Abram in combat and vowed to serve.
The women faced poor conditions, threats from enemies and racist U.S. soldiers, and were initially underestimated by their White male military superiors. However, with pressure from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune, they were finally given a chance to prove themselves.
Led by Major Charity Adams, the unit persevered and completed their mission ahead of schedule. The women’s bond was forged not only through shared experiences but also through their struggle against misogyny and racism within the military.
The film’s star Kerry Washington notes that the cast and crew worked tirelessly with Perry, who filmed the movie quickly to share the story of King and other surviving members of the unit. Perry personally visited King before she passed away in 2024, showing her the final cut of the film.
“The Six Triple Eight” is now streaming on Netflix, shedding light on a pivotal moment in history that highlights the contributions of Black women during WWII.
Source: https://people.com/true-story-tyler-perry-six-triple-eight-black-women-defied-odds-complete-wwii-mission-exclusive-8761986