Tyler Perry’s upcoming Netflix film The Six Triple Eight honors the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit of the Women’s Army Corps deployed overseas during World War II. The movie tells the inspiring story of these women who were tasked with clearing a massive three-year backlog of mail for American troops in just 90 days.
The film stars Kerry Washington as Captain Charity Adams, who led the battalion, and focuses on the unit’s resilience and determination in the face of both war and racial discrimination. In the trailer, Washington’s character delivers a powerful line, rallying her fellow soldiers with the declaration, “A lot of people do not want us to succeed. We have the most to prove.”
The film’s inspiration comes from meeting Lena Derriecott King, one of the last surviving members of the battalion, who passed away earlier this year. Perry incorporates King’s personal stories and items, including Captain Adams’ military trunk, to ensure the film’s authenticity.
The Six Triple Eight features an ensemble cast that includes Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, and Oprah Winfrey, along with Susan Sarandon and Dean Norris in supporting roles. The film also features choreography by Debbie Allen and an original song by Diane Warren, performed by H.E.R.
The film will premiere in select theaters on December 6 and stream on Netflix starting December 20. The film highlights the extraordinary and often overlooked contributions of these trailblazing women.
