The 6888 Women from the Shore
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Date: March 19th, 2025 at 7pm
Location: Charles H. Chipman Cultural Center, 325 Broad St, Salisbury, MD 21801 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. In Maryland, March 9th is the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion Day.
To celebrate, the Beach to Bay Heritage Area, the Heart of the Chesapeake Heritage Area and the Maryland250 are planning a program on the women from the 6888th from the shore to be held at the Charles Chipman Center in Salisbury on March 19th at 7pm. The event is free and open to the public. Dr. Clara Small, Emerita Professor of History at Salisbury University will be leading the program. |
Warriors Beyond the Battlefield Film Screening
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Date: March 8th, 2025 | 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Gold Coast Theaters, 11301 Coastal Hwy, Ocean City, MD 21842 As part of our efforts to honor our Black heritage on the Eastern Shore, the Beach to Bay Heritage Area has partnered with Unscene Productions to create a 20-minute documentary, "Warriors Beyond the Battlefield," highlighting the untold stories of brave African Americans who have served in the United States military from the Civil War to present day. Featuring personal, emotional narratives and archival resources, the documentary explores struggles against racial injustice, key contributions to American history, and the complex legacy of service and sacrifice.
The documentary will be featured during the Ocean City Film Festival on March 8 at 4pm at the Gold Coast Theater. A panel discussion will follow the screening. The Art League of Ocean City has generously provided a discount code! Use code "ocffbeachtobay" for 20% off. The code expires March 5th so get your tickets quick! |
Rosenwald Film Screening at Salisbury University
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Date: January 29th, 2025 at 7pm
Location: Salisbury University Fulton Hall Room 111 - Herman van Apeldoorn Film Center A screening of the documentary Rosenwald directed and produced by Aviva Kempner has been scheduled to be shown at SU on Wednesday, January 29 at 7pm in collaboration with the Beach to Bay Heritage Area.
Watch a documentary on the story of how Jewish businessman and philanthropist Julius Rosenwald joined with Booker T. Washington and African American communities to build schools for underserved African American children during the early part of the 20th century. Event includes an introduction offered by Andre Nieto Jaime and post-screening discussion led by Clara Small. Co-sponsored by the Beach to Bay Heritage Area and the Nabb Center for Delmarva History and Culture. Salisbury University, Fulton Hall 111 – Herman van Apeldoorn Film Center. |
