#BlackWomenDidThat

[usnatarchives]

WWII 6888th Central Postal Battalion vet Romay Davis, 102, Jay Reeves/AP.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at Dedication Ceremony Honoring Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, 7/13/2022 (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post).

Black Women ROCK (US history)! By Miriam Kleiman, Public Affairs

Two BIG story updates: Mary McLeod Bethune Returns to the Hill (7/13/2022) (Figuratively) topples Confederate Statue! 1st Black American in Statuary Hall! See related NARA Tumblr post. Dr. Bethune joined Old Boys Club on Capitol Hill (90 of the 100 statues there are of men) as an impressive 3 ton, 11 foot statue in the Capitol’s National Statuary Hall.

80 years late, WWII vet Romay Davis is recognized (7/25/2022) Davis was part of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit to serve in Europe in WWII, led by Major Charity Adams, the highest-ranking Black woman in the Army during WWII. See: Black Female WWII Unit Gets (Congressional) GOLD!

More amazing facts about Dr. Bethune:

1st Black woman to lead a federal agency.

1st Black women with a university founded in her name.

Founder of the National Council of Negro Women

More amazing facts about Ms. Davis:

She earned a martial arts black belt while in her late 70s!

She went back to work at grocery store in Montgomery, AL, and retired only last year, at age 101!

The 6888th by the #s:

855 - # of Black women in the 6888th

3 - # of months it took them to clear a 6-month backlog of mail.

3 separate 8-hour shifts, 7 days a week - work hours.

65,000 - # of pieces of mail processed per shift

17 million - # of pieces of mail processed by the conflict’s end.

77 years - # of years wait for these women to be honored by Congress

Connection between the two? Mary McLeod Bethune worked with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to establish the Women’s Army Corps, and advocated for the inclusion of Black women who wanted to contribute to the war effort.

“Somewhere in England, Maj. Charity E. Adams,…and Capt. Abbie N. Campbell, …inspect the first contingent of Negro members of the Women’s Army Corps assigned to overseas service.” 2/15/1945. NARA ID 16214.

Much more online:

We honor WW2’s #InvisibleWarriors! Black Women in WWII

BLACK (military) NURSES ROCK!

Pictorial History of Black Women in the US Navy during World War II and Beyond, by Dr. Tina Ligon, Rediscovering Black History.

Before Kamala: Black Women in Presidential Administrations, Rediscovering Black History

Official Personnel Folder for Mary McLeod Bethune, NARA ID 158329664.

Mary Bethune: Adviser to Presidents, Hoover Heads blog

Providing a New Deal for Young Black Women: Mary McLeod Bethune and the Negro Affairs Division of the National Youth Association, Rediscovering Black History.

Featured NARA public program: Vanguard: How Black Women Broke Barriers, Won the Vote, and Insisted on Equality for All

The Closed Door of Justice: African American Nurses and the Fight for Naval Service, by Alicia Henneberry, The Text Message.

Their War Too: US Women in the Military During WWII, The Text Message

African Americans and the War Industry by Alexis Hill, The Unwritten Record blog

I too, am Rosie by Dr. Tina Ligon, Rediscovering Black History

Women’s History Month and African American History National Archives News special topics pages.

[princedarien]

Black History Month FYI: Willa Beatrice Brown.  (January 22, 1906 – July 18, 1992)  A trailblazer for women, Willa Beatrice Brown, made history as the first African American woman from Akron to earn a doctorate and the first in the country to serve as president of a four-year college. She gained national attention as an American aviator, lobbyist, teacher, Civil Rights and federal administrator for education. Brown was the first African American woman to earn a pilot's license in the United States, the first African American woman to run for the United States Congress, first African American officer in the Civil Air Patrol and the first woman in the U.S. to have both a pilot's license and an aircraft mechanic's license. #blackgirlswag #blackmagic #realshit #beast #blackwomanshistorymonth #beastmode #blackwomendidthat #swag #beast #swag #representationmatters #blacklivesmatter #knowyourhistory #blackhistory #rebel #blackhistorymonth #swag #blackgirlmagic  #myblackisbeautiful #blackexcellence #blackwoman #woman (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZe38xoonHr/?utm_medium=tumblr

[ashakagivens]

Give her all her flowers now. 💐 Thank You @staceyabrams you are the epitome of a Black Woman. ✨💎👑💎✨ What would this country...matter of fact...what would this World be without Black Women. “Black Women Did That”. - @abbydphillip I see a Cabinet position with her name on it! @joebiden @kamalaharris #StaceyAbrams #Shero #AppreciationDay #BlackWomenDidThat #BlackVotesMatter #Periodt (at Black Women Forever) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHQsP5LFgil/?igshid=ai9u6y2d7e51

[greekpara]

Reposted from @educatedbymelanin - Baby girl, the sky’s the limit. You’ve always made Daddy proud. I’m so impressed by the woman you’ve become. @jasmin_lawrence @jasmin_lawrence ----------------------------------------------- For Educated students/alumni to network & be recognized ! To be featured FOLLOW & TAG @educatedbymelanin S/O using #EducatedbyMelanin . . * #blackgirlsgraduate #graduation #blackgirlmagic #melanin #blackscholar #blackgirlsrock #blackexcellence #blackwomendidthat #blackgrads #blackgirlslove #blackgirljoy #collegegrad #gradpics #blavity #educatedblackwoman #educatedandblack #educatedqueens #blackqueen #womensupportingwomen #womenempowerment #girlboss #blackgirlboss #degreedup 
#educatedqueen #queenin #empowerHer (at Lineupgreek) https://www.instagram.com/p/BxCXvhtFUYd/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bz2aac471ahx

[hinahundt]

< SEX APPEAL > by Hina Hundt

[jsanders-ma]

“She is your first nurse. She is your teacher. Your first lesson comes from your mother. If you don't protect your mother, how do you think you look in the eyes of other fellow human beings?” (Excerpt from “Message to the Blackman,” 1965.) - The Honorable Elijah Muhammad #BlackWomenDidThat #blackwomen #blackgirlmagic #melanin #naturalhair #blackgirlsrock #blackexcellence #blackisbeautiful #melaninpoppin #blackwoman #blacklove #blackgirls #blackqueen #blacklivesmatter #blackbeauty #blackhistory #hair #blackgirl #blackbusiness #beauty #women #fashion #blackpower #beautiful #blackpeople #blackculture #becauseofyou #blackhistorymonth #blackexcellence365 http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/Columns_4/The_Black_Woman_1413.shtml (at Dallas, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9HnjPHBc0z/?igshid=1bs0w5bc2bm9o

[nu-theunk1]

NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH TOMORROW 😜😜😜!!!! Bring you guys New interviews and Visuals! Features are for FREE! Doesn't cost you a dime to be featured! All you need is passionate and dedication! Check Out My Blog/Website! A Platform where #fashiondesigner, #painter, #poet, #musicproducer, #models, #artist, #singers, #rappers, #photographer, #ceo etc. can showcase their work and get the recognition they deserve! Subscribe to our YouTube channel (The Unknown). Updates Coming Soon! Email me to be featured in it. Serious inquires only. You have to be passionate and serious about your craft. You guys subscribe, follow and support! Interact with me and subscribe to my blog to get daily updates! #bloggers #models #poetry #poet #musician #photographer #painter #fashionblogger #fashiondesigner #fashionblogger #organization #blackwoman #blackwomenbusiness #blackwomendidthat #blackculture #gigs #entrepreneur #talent #creatives #businesswoman #businesswoman

[blacklovepersonified-blog]

Black, Woman ❤❤⠀ ...⠀ Don't be afraid to use your voice. Your thoughts, opinions, and ideas are just as important as anybody else's. When you speak, speak with boldness and purpose. Have courage, be confident, and always be true to yourself! Live your life fearlessly and with authenticity! Your voice has GREAT power; don't be afraid to utilize it when needed. You're NOT an angry Black woman; you're a woman who has something important to say. Your voice matters and so do YOU!!⠀ …⠀ Always remember that you are ENOUGH and more than CAPABLE!💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽⠀ …⠀ Images are not taken by @blacklovepersonified and credited to the original owners.⠀ …⠀ Tag or DM us to be a featured couple.⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ .⠀ #BlackLovePersonified #BLuvPersonified #blackexcellence #beautifulbrownmom #blackwomenmagic #blackgirlmagic #melanin #melaninqueens #blackwomendidthat #blackwomenarebeautiful #melaninaire #darkskingram #darkskinnedwomen #blackqueen #blackbusiness #melaninpoppin #blackbeauty #love #fashion #beauty #blacklove #blackculture #blackhistory #blackwomenrock #blackwomendoworkout #blackwomeninbusiness #bodypositive #selflove #myblackisbeautiful #blackqueens https://www.instagram.com/p/B8MGJtgprAN/?igshid=1jglaybb4jc1y

[blacktribbles]

#Repost @thatmikeychick (@get_repost) ・・・ @drbuzzaldrin awarded Dr. Mae Jemison with the 1st Annual Buzz Aldrin Space Pioneer Award a few days back. I love everything about this photo. His blazer, her necklace...the fact that she looks a solid 6in taller than him!! 😍 I wonder if she'd be offended or flattered if @BlackTribbles sent her a #PIONEEGROES tee? 💖 #astronauts #BlacksInSpace #blackwomendidthat #space #nasa (at NASA - Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX)

[blacknerdproblems]

#blackwomendidthat feat our fave #MonicaRambeau aka Captain Marvel aka Pulsar aka Spectrum aka all the Aliases and Super Hero Names. #blacknerdproblems #avengers #blacksuperheroes

[usnatarchives]

"Somewhere in England, Maj. Charity E. Adams,...and Capt. Abbie N. Campbell, ...inspect the first contingent of Negro members of the Women's Army Corps assigned to overseas service." 2/15/1945. NARA ID 16214.

Women’s Auxiliary Corps Captain Adams drills her company 5/1943. NARA ID 531334.

"The negro WAC battalion's first parade on the continent. Rouen, France." 5/27/1945. NARA ID 175539237

Black Female WWII Unit Gets (Congressional) GOLD! WWII's 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion By Miriam Kleiman, Public Affairs

"Tech. Sgt. Tommye Berry, Acting 1st Sgt. of the Negro WAC group" 4/16/1945. NARA ID 535929.

The Women’s Army Corps (WAC) was signed into law by President Roosevelt and set to active duty status on July 1, 1943, but this group did not include Black women. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and Civil Rights icon Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune (see: related Tumblr post) advocated for the inclusion of Black women who were eager to contribute to the war effort.

Finally, approval was gained, volunteers enlisted, and the battalion trained at Fort Oglethorpe, GA. In February 1945, the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (the self-proclaimed “Six Triple Eight”) deployed - becoming the only all-Black, all-female unit to serve in Europe in WWII. They were led by Major Charity Adams, the highest-ranking Black woman in the US Army during WWII.

The 6888th organized and sorted mail for delivery to U.S. soldiers in Europe. They worked around the clock, fighting not only the mail backlog but also racism, sexism—and the Third Reich.

On March 14, 2022, President Biden signed a bill into law to award the women of the 6888th Battalion a Congressional Gold Medal "in recognition of their pioneering military service, devotion to duty, and contributions to increase the morale of personnel stationed in the European theater of operations during World War II." Award ceremony date TBA.

The 6888th by the numbers:

855 - # of Black women in the 6888th

3 - # of months it took them to clear a 6-month backlog of mail.

3 separate 8-hour shifts, 7 days a week - work hours.

65,000 - # of pieces of mail processed per shift

17 million - # of pieces of mail processed by the conflict’s end.

77 years - # of years wait for these women to be honored by Congress

The 6888th faced overflowing warehouses stacked with letters and packages for anxiously awaiting GIs. The women of the 6888th knew the importance of such connections to the soldiers and embraced as their motto: “no mail, low morale.” Facing huge volumes of “undeliverable” mail, they developed a tracking system using 7 million servicemember ID cards to correctly route the letters and package.

“The women of ‘Six Triple Eight’ confronted warehouses stacked to the ceiling with letters and packages. These buildings were unheated and dimly lit, the windows blacked out to prevent light showing during nighttime air raids. Rats sought out packages of spoiled cakes and cookies,” the Army said.

Example of the backlog of vast quantities of Christmas mail en route to American soldiers.” NARA ID 111-SC-197654.

“WACs sort packages, taken from the mail sacks by French civilian employees, at the 17th Base Post Office. Paris, France.” NARA ID 175539203.

Continuing legacy of the 6888th:

The 6888th returned to the United States in February 1946 and was disbanded without any public appreciation or official recognition of their work. However, their accomplishments led the General Board, United States Forces European Theater, to note in their December 1945 study of the Women’s Army Corps: “[T]he national security program is the joint responsibility of all Americans irrespective of color or sex” and “the continued use of colored, along with white, female military personnel is required in such strength as is proportionately appropriate to the relative population distribution between colored and white races.”

11/30/2018: monument in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas was made in their honor.

2/25/2009: The 6888th women were honored Arlington National Cemetery's Women in Military Service for America Memorial.

"Post exchange officer serves the first Coca Cola to Major Charity Adams at the grand opening of the WAC battalion's new snack bar. Rouen, France." NARA ID 175539159.

President Obama greets Alyce Dixon, the oldest living Black American WW2 veteran, in the Oval Office, 10/27/2014. NARA ID 176552374.

See also:

Washington Post story on Romay Johnson Davis: She joined the only Black female unit sent overseas in WWII. Now 102, she’s the oldest living member.

No Mail, Low Morale: The 6888th Central Postal Battalion, Unwritten Record

Their War Too: US Women in the Military During WWII, The Text Message

Pictures of African Americans During World War II

African American Women in the Military During WWII, Blog Post

6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, US Army Center of Military History

The SixTripleEight: No Mail, Low Morale, The National WWII Museum

Women of the 6888th Central Postal Battalion

H.R.1012 – ‘Six Triple Eight’ Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021, Congress

The 4th in our series celebrating Black History Month (Feb) and Women's History Month (March).

We honor WW2’s #InvisibleWarriors!

Fannie Lou Hamer “Nobody's free until everybody's free."

Mary McLeod Bethune to Return to Capitol Hill

[utbadandboujie-blog]

bad & boujie

As black women on UT’s campus, we tend to grasp for what seems to be unattainable. But as black women, we also know that with hard work and a sprinkle of black girl magic we can achieve anything. 

This page is meant to uplift and empower black women on UT’s campus and around the world. The world has underestimated black women and showcased us in a monolithic manner, making us one-dimensional. We are here to show everyone that we are more. In today’s society, black women are taking the world by storm, graduating valedictorians at major universities, accepting positions as surgeon generals, black girls are creating million dollar businesses, black women winning Pulitzer’s, Oscars, Grammy’s, and so much more. 

Our name Bad & Boujie was inspired by Migos’ song “Bad and Boujee,” but we are recreating and redefining that meaning. Being bad has frequently been associated with physical characteristics (ie. big butt and breasts and small waist), while boujie has typically been characterized as a negative behavior of a woman who has high standards. To be bad and boujie characterizes you as a strong and driven women who enjoys the finer things in life and expects a certain level of stability and organization. We celebrate these bad and boujie women in all the many arenas of success that they are conquering, including academia, film, athletics, literature, business, etc .

Black women are phenomenal. And we are here to share this with the world.

[unapologeticessence-blog]

February is Black History Month, a month set to observe the history of the movements and achievements of African Americans and their descendants.

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

— Martin Luther King Jr.

“In my early years, there were a number of experiences that made me decide I could not afford the luxury of just being an actress. There were a number of issues I wanted to address. I wanted to use my career as a platform.”

— Cicely Tyson

“All I want for my children — and I think all you want for yours — is a fair and equal chance and respect for their dignity as human beings. Give us that and we’ll do the rest.”

— Jackie Robinson

“I'm a perfectionist. I'm pretty much insatiable. I feel there's so many things I can improve on.”

— Serena Williams

“We’ve been floating this country on credit for centuries, yo, and we’re done watching and waiting while this invention called whiteness uses and abuses us, burying black people out of sight and out of mind while extracting our culture, our dollars, our entertainment like oil – black gold, ghettoizing and demeaning our creations then stealing them, gentrifying our genius and then trying us on like costumes before discarding our bodies like rinds of strange fruit. The thing is though… the thing is that just because we’re magic doesn’t mean we’re not real.”

— Jesse Williams

“This all started as a love story. And it still is. This love transformed me from a curious, stargazing young girl to a professional astrophysicist, hot on the heels of celestial discovery. Who knew that chasing after the universe would ground me so deeply to my mission here on Earth. Then again, when do we ever know where love's first flutter will truly take us.”

— Jedidah Isler

“Speak up. You have to project! If people can't hear you, it doesn't matter what you say.”

— Freeman A. Hrabowski III

“NASA is an incredible investment for our nation because what we do not only uncovers new knowledge, it helps raise the bar of human achievement.”

— Charles Frank Bolden Jr.

"I believe that higher education is one of the best investments anybody can make in their future."

— Barack Obama  

“If a black man is always cast as the drug dealer but rarely as the righteous successful business man, the conclusion is that it is not believable for a man of color to be inherently good or successful or on the side of righteousness. Good, bad or indifferent, tv helps define our collective reality. If a child grows up never seeing themselves representative as successful or as the hero, then they are the anomaly if they succeed and the expectation if they fail.”

— Yara Shahidi

Follow my blog @unapologeticessence​

To read more of my Black History posts, visit Unapologetic Ingenuity & Luminary Essence - Black History.

[lafreakvintage]

"she was the very first person to embrace destiny’s child. she was so sweet always." - bey on aaliyah, 2001 👑🔥💖 . . 🦄 aaliyah & destinys child . 🎬 mtv movie awards 2001 . 🌺 2 june 2001 . . . . . .

[hinahundt]

< Je t’aime > by Hina Hundt

[lipgame]

My GURL @fortyisthenew40 larger than life in Times Square before she MAKES THE 2018 BALL DROP. YESSSS #PSA Black women are off that erasure from here on out. This beats any cover ever in my book. And so well deserved. #nowyouseeher #MeTooMVMT #blackwomendidthat #HNY #myfriendsaredope #lipgame #TheUniverseLovesTaranaBurke (at Times Square New Years Ball Drop)