DAYTON, OHIO – Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) and Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) introduced a symbolic resolution to honor the life and legacy of Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams-Earley, an Ohioan who became the first Black officer in the U.S. Army’s Women’s Army Corps (WAC). This resolution directs the United States Postal Service to issue a commemorative stamp in honor of Lt. Col. Adams-Earley, who led the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion—the only all-Black WAC battalion deployed overseas during the Second World War.
“Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams-Earley was a patriot and a pioneer who represented the very best of Ohio,” said Congressman Mike Turner. “I am proud to partner with Congresswoman Beatty and celebrate Lieutenant Charity Adams-Earley’s service as the highest-ranking Black woman officer during World War II. After she retired from the military, Lieutenant Charity Adams-Earley moved to Dayton and became an important voice in the Miami Valley, creating the Black Leadership Development Program in 1982, which seeks to educate and train African Americans to be community leaders.”
“I am honored to introduce this resolution to commemorate my lifelong friend and mentor, Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams-Earley, the first Black woman officer in the Women's Auxiliary Corps,” said Congresswoman Joyce Beatty. “Lieutenant Colonel Adams-Earley laid the groundwork for today’s integrated military as the top-ranking Black woman officer and paved the way for Black women in service. Lieutenant Charity Adams-Earley—whose bravery, dignity, and devotion to service is apparent in her service to the Army and to young Ohioans, is most deserving of this honor and commemoration.”
Background:
Lieutenant Colonel Adams-Earley is widely remembered for her activism throughout Ohio, devoting her life to education and youth mentoring after discharging from the Army. She has been recognized by the National Postal Museum, the National Women’s History Museum, the Ohio Women’s Hall of Fame, the Smithsonian Institute, the South Carolina Black Hall of Fame, and many other organizations for her pioneering military service and work on promoting opportunities for Black Americans.
During the 117th Congress, the Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to the members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, including posthumously to their commander, Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley. Last month, the Dayton VA Medical Center renamed its women’s clinic the “Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams-Earley Women’s Clinic.”
Beatty and Turner also sent a letter to the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) requesting that USPS issue a commemorative stamp honoring Lt. Col. Adams-Earley. The committee has the authority to recommend USPS issue specific commemorative stamps.
Click here to read the bill text.
Read the full letter here.
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