The 6888 Women of the Shore

In World War II, 150,000 American women had enlisted in the military, but only four percent were African American. Initially, Black women were not allowed to serve in the Women's Army Corps (WAC), but pressure from activists like Mary McLeod Bethune changed this. This effort paved the way for the creation of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-Black battalion in the WAC under the command of Major Charity Adams that was tasked with various support roles including postal work. In February 1945 the 6888th Battalion was sent to Europe to sort an estimated 17 million pieces of mail. In doing so, they became the first and only all Black WAC unit sent overseas. Out of the 855 women that served in the 6888th, nineteen have connections to Maryland, four of which had ties to the Eastern Shore. They were Vivian Elzie, May Rebecca Jackson, Lucy Geraldine Pollitt, and Eleanor Ann Wilson.​ One more, Elaine Smith Bennett, moved to Cambridge a few years after her service.​

Vivian Elzie (1914-1979): 
Vivian Elzie lived from September 1, 1914 in Crisfield, Maryland and died on December 20, 1979.  She graduated from Berean Business School in Philadelphia and continued to work in Philadelphia as a dental assistant after graduating. During World War II Vivian was in the Women’s Army Corps and attended Officer Training School and served as a first lieutenant. Vivian earned her Bachelor degree from the University of Chicago and the Art Institute of Chicago.  She also studied at the graduate level at West Virginia University, Salisbury State College, and the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore.  She was the head of the art department at Salisbury High School from 1955-1965 serving as the first art teacher of the program. She then moved to Bennett Junior High School from 1968 until June 1978 serving as the head of the art department.  Following her time at Bennett Junior High school Vivian retired. Vivian was the Basilus of Phi Delta Kapa National Sorority of Beta Tau Chapter and a sponsor of TOPS which provided assistance to youth.  Vivian also served as the chairperson of the Nation Society Regional Civil Rights Program of the sorority.  Vivian was a member of the Wesley Temple Church and was president of the Pastor-Parish committee as well as serving as a member of the Chancel Choir and the United Methodist Women.  Finally, Vivian served as a member of the National Art Association, the International 700 Club, the Maryland Retired Teachers Association, the American Association of Retired Person, the Wicomico and the Maryland National Education and Associations, and the Maryland Art Association.

Mary Rebecca Jackson (1917-2005):
Mary Rebecca Jackson was born on January 18, 1917 in Cambridge, Dorchester, Maryland and died on October 4, 2005.  She registered for the military in 1943.  She served the Women's Army Corps as a Corporal.  She served at Wendover Field Utah.  Mary Rebecca was a graduate of Virginia State College and served in the United States Treasury Department prior to her military service.  During the war she also had two brothers serving in the Army and one in the Navy.   ​

Lucy Geraldine Pollitt (1920-1988):
Lucy Geraldine Pollitt was born on April 12, 1920 in Fruitland, Wicomico County, Maryland.  Her father's name was William A. Pollitt (28) and her mother was Laura Emma Jones (24).  Lucy Geraldine registered for the 6888th division on September 7, 1944 where she served as a private.  She continued to live in Wicomico County until her death on January 13, 1988 at the age of 67.  Lucy Geraldine was buried in the Mount Calvary United Methodist Church Cemetery in Wicomico County.    ​

Eleanor Ann Wilson (1919-2000):
Eleanor Ann Wilson was born on March 1,1919 in Queen Anne’s County Maryland.  She was the daughter of James E. Wilson and Henrietta Wilson.  Eleanor registered for service with the 6888th division on April 11, 1944.  She began her active duty on May 3, 1944.  Following her service Eleanor married George W. Archie and had one son named Spencer Archie.     ​

Elaine O. Smith Bennett (1918-1997):
Elaine O. Smith Bennett was born August 18, 1918, in Madison, Florida to Andrew Smith and Mary Smith.  Her early education and high school were in Clearview, Florida.  Upon graduation from high school, she attended New York University (NYU) on a scholarship from her church.  She studied business administration in college, but in 1942 she left NYU in her third year of college and enlisted in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. By the time the unit arrived in Europe, Elaine O. Smith had attained the rank of First Sergeant and was in charge of 250 women in Company D of the 6888th. After the war, she earned her business degree at New York University and married H. Gordon Bennett. After a few years, the couple moved to Cambridge where Elaine worked at the State of Maryland Office of Employment Security and operated a flower business. 
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