WS Chronicle

By Felecia Piggott-Long, Ph.D.

Here are stories of three women with local ties who were members of the U.S. Army, two of whom were part of the 6888th, the only predominantly Black female battalion to serve in Europe during World War II. 

Angela Reid

When Angela Reid drove from Georgia to volunteer and to attend the National Black Theatre Festival in 2022, one of the highlights from her experience was attending the 2018 documentary about “The Six Triple Eight.” This film was shown as part of the Black Film Festival in the basement of the Benton Convention Center. The film was a jewel for Reid because she has been involved in the Army Reserves since 1984. Tyler Perry released the movie titled “The Six Triple Eight” on Dec. 20, 2024. Tyler Perry is the writer and the director.

“It reminded me of the story ‘Hidden Figures’ because it dealt with little-known history of the contributions of African American women,” said Reid. “The 6888th is the only predominantly Black female battalion to serve in Europe during World War II. In 1945, 855 Black women from the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) were sent to England and France to clear up a backlog of mail in the European Theatre of Operations. They faced racism and sexism among their own leadership and troops, just like the women in ‘Hidden Figures.’”

Reid retired as an English teacher and now secures donations and grants to distribute African American novels to children of all ages.

Gloria Hairston

Gloria Hairston joined the U. S. Army in August of 1978, and she was a squad leader in the WACs stationed in Ft. McClellan, Alabama, when her bootcamp members were allowed to attend a huge event at the WAC Museum. The speaker for the event was LTC Charity Adams. Major Charity Adams was the leader of the 6888th battalion.   

“Lieutenant Charity Adams visited us and gave us a talk. I was only 18 years old at the time. The purpose of this standing-ground-only event was to commemorate Army women who served in the beginning and final years of the WAC,” said Hairston. “During the talk, I did not hear any mention of the Triple 6888, but I do remember having to stand the entire time she spoke. Our commander made us stand at parade rest for about 20 minutes as she spoke and then exited the podium. LTC Adams seemed to be humbled to be a part of the WAC. I was young and was trying to make it through boot camp. At that time, we were segregated, and I didn’t realize how huge the new movement toward integration would be.

 “The reason I joined the army is that I had gotten accepted at N.C. A & T, but they did not have dorms for rising freshmen. Even though I had a little car, I wanted to stay on campus and not commute, so I said, ‘Forget it!’ I just went ahead and joined the army, not really sure if it was my vision. That was the best decision I have ever made,” Hairston said. “My military career was exceptional. I was stationed one out of about 30 soldiers who had a direct assignment to military intelligence in Germany. The experience was something else! I later joined the Army Reserve medical unit as a medic, and Angela also joined. We both had ‘pie’ jobs because we’re good admin peeps.”

Angela and Gloria met one another when they both joined the 396th Medical Reserve Unit in Winston-Salem on Stadium Drive, also called Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive. One of the advantages the women gained when they joined the military was that they were able to go to college on the GI Bill and bring their children into the middle class. Gloria did not take advantage of the GI Bill for her college education.

“I did not use the GI Bill because I got hired to work at R. J. Reynolds and used their benefit to help pay for my undergraduate degree in psychology,” said Hairston. “I missed the full GI Bill by one year. It ended in 1977, and I joined in 1978. To me the movie brings back the good, bad and ugly treatment of women in the military. When I think of the movie now, I’m reminded of the resilience of Black women and all women.”

While the movie makes some people recall “Hidden Figures,” others focus on the view from a different lens.

 “I compare the movie ‘The Six Triple Eight’ to ‘Pursuit of Happyness,’ where Will Smith used resilience in the most powerful way,” said Hairston. “That movie was also based on a true story of the power of perseverance.”

Hairston stayed on active duty in Munich, Germany, for three years, then following the tragic death of her oldest brother, she elected to get out, leave Europe and come home to be near her family. 

“I immediately joined the Army Reserves in Winston-Salem where I stayed active for another 12 years, until 1994,” said Hairston. “I won a commendation medal and it is my prized military honor. Being in the Army opened doors for me at R. J Reynolds and at WFU Baptist. The doctor told me that he created a position for me because of my military background. It’s been a long, prosperous journey, and I was always able to help change the lives of those who are less fortunate, such as those with cerebral palsy to dialysis patients to teaching emergency first aid. Now I offer jobs to formerly incarcerated individuals,” said Hairston.

The Late Elizabeth Barker Johnson

Elizabeth Barker Johnson was the first female to enroll at Winston-Salem State University on the GI Bill. Johnson was also a WSSU graduate who was a member of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion: a World War II veteran.  Johnson was a member of the only all-Black, all female Women’s Army Corps unit to serve overseas during World War II.

After the war Johnson became the first woman to enroll in what was then called Winston-Salem Teachers College. In 2019 Johnson received an honorary bachelor of science in special education from WSSU at the age of 99, nearly 70 years after earning her degree. She was very surprised with a red cap and red gown from WSSU at a birthday party. She received a standing ovation when she walked across the stage. Chancellor Elwood Robinson presented Johnson with her diploma.

Her daughter, Cynthia Johnson-Scott, and Cynthia’s daughters, Shandra Bryant and Tiffany Scott, were at the graduation to see her walk across the stage at the age of 99. Originally, Johnson’s plan was to graduate from WSSU in 1949, but she was called to join the other women in Paris to offer their services during World War II.  The WSSU Class of 2019 was glad to have Johnson graduate with them.