Encore Presentation of African American Women's Service: Germantown School

Date, Time, Location:

Saturday, December 7th | 10am – 12pm

Germantown School Community Heritage Center

10223 Trappe Rd, Berlin, MD 21811

Event Details:

A Will To Serve

December 7 prompted US entry into WWII.  It also induced Congress to formally, permanently accept women’s right to serve in the armed forces.  Throughout history, American women fought for their right to serve, and none fought harder or faced more resistance than African American women.  Some of their names and service are known, some less well known.  Phyllis Wheatly’s poetry inspired the nation’s quest for freedom: “American’s attend to Freedom’s cry!…/If you’re united in one faithful band/Like everlasting mountains you shall stand.” Harriet Tubman was the first woman to lead a successful military operation, the Combahee Ferry Raid.  Cathay Williams dressed as a man, changed her name to William Cathay and joined the Buffalo Soldiers, fighting in the American West when she was denied the right to serve as a woman.  The WWII women of the 6888^th cleared a 2-year mail backlog in 3 months.  Women built and repaired forts, supported field units by nursing wounded soldier.  They cooked, cleaned and mended uniforms.  They built armaments, served as spies and guides, provided logistics and advocated for war efforts.  They became integral members of intelligence operations, served as Atomic Ladies and worked as Rosie the Riveters. When the army became fully integrated during the Korean War and positions opened to women, they served alongside men.  Service did not come easily. it was often as hard a fight to serve as it was serving.  Nevertheless, they persisted, and today women serve with honor in all military engagements.  The public is invited to share the history and experiences of our women veterans with Salisbury professor emerita Dr. Clara Small and Valerie Smith McCall Lee and others on Saturday, December 7 from 10am-12pm at the Germantown School Community Heritage Center (10223 Trappe Rd, Berlin). The event is free.  All are welcome! For more information call (410) 641-0638 or email germantownschool@gmail.com.