Credit: Bob Mahoney/Perry Well Films 2/Courtesy of Netflix
Credit: Bob Mahoney/Perry Well Films 2/Courtesy of Netflix
Directed by Tyler Perry, “The Six Triple Eight” tells the inspiring, powerful story of World War II’s first and only Women’s Army Corps unit of color led by Daytonian Charity Adams Earley. Based on Kevin M. Hymel’s article “Fighting a Two-Front War” featured in WWII History Magazine, the film stars Kerry Washington as Adams, who at age 26 supervised the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Adams served as the highest-ranking Black woman officer during World War II.
The unit, stationed in Birmingham, England, Rouen, France and Paris, sorted through 17 million pieces of backlogged mail. They were given six months to complete the backlog but finished in three months, ultimately delivering mail to more than seven million soldiers. In the face of adversity and discrimination, including living in segregated housing that lacked proper light and heat, the dedication and courage of these 855 women brought hope when it was needed most.
After World War II, Charity, who grew up in Columbia, South Carolina and graduated from Wilberforce University in 1938, eventually relocated to Dayton in 1952 with her husband, Stanley Earley, Jr., M.D. Her commitment to community included serving on a variety of boards, including Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, Dayton Power and Light, Dayton Metro Housing Authority, the American Red Cross, and Sinclair Community College. She also volunteered for the United Way, United Negro College Fund and the YWCA among others, and was pivotal in the creation of Parity Inc.’s Black Leadership Development Program. Charity Adams Earley Girls Academy, one of 17 elementary schools within Dayton Public Schools, is named in her honor.
“We think that Charity Adams Earley’s commitment to community service lends itself to MLK Day in a special way and we plan to talk about that after the screening,” said Jonathan McNeal, manager of The Neon. “We truly hope to get this message out to younger school-age students and we hope to fill the house.”
The Neon is located at 130 E. Fifth St.
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