The Exciting, Glamourous, Heart-stopping Life of a History Nerd

Published: Fri, 01/29/16

Hello ,

This week's newsletter comes to you from the nation's capitol. I've come to Washington D.C. for research on African American Army Women in World War II.

I've written a picture book on the "Six-Triple-Eight" Central Postal Battalion, the only African-American Women's Army Corps group sent overseas during the war. Unfortunately, I haven't found a publisher for the picture book. I'm working on a book for older readers; however, that will come out in 2018. Read more here...

A Treasure Hunt in the Archives

My first stop was the National Archives for Black Women's History in Landover, MD, to investigate collections that included the papers of several African American women who served in the Women's Army Corps during WWII.

You might be thinking it would be awfully boring reading through all these old documents. But when I hit on something like the letter below-- that's when it get's exciting! This letter is from a young black woman who tried to apply to the WAC and was told "Colored people" could not apply.

I found this Thursday afternoon at the National Archives and Records Administration in College Park, M.D.

Another woman wrote "I would like to join your outfit more than anything else in the world....I would be willing to do anything for my country. Even die if necessary if I only had a chance. I am a negro.[emphasis hers] Age 27 and I have had adequate education...."

Also interesting... several file boxes of Security-Classified General Correspondence from the War Department, 1942-46 on race relations in the military. Friday, I'll be back at the National Archives, Saturday at the Library of Congress. Wish me luck!

Here's a photo I took tromping through the snow on the way to our hotel. Getting some sight-seeing done in passing.

Thank you for spending a few minutes with me today. Your support means a lot to me. Have you read a great book? Tell me about it. Have a burning question? Let me know.

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To find out more about my books, how I help students, teachers and librarians, visit my website at www.MaryCronkFarrell.com.

My best,

Mary

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