Savannah Woman’s Role in The Six Triple Eight Uncovered

Annie Knight Jordan, a Savannah resident, had a unique connection to mail, which she held onto until she was absolutely sure it was junk. This attachment can be traced back to her time in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion of the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. Over 800 female soldiers were sent to Europe to tackle the daunting task of sorting 17 million pieces of mail that had been left unattended for months to years, facing racial and gender discrimination along the way.

Now, the story of these remarkable women has been brought to life in the movie The Six Triple Eight, featuring Kerry Washington and directed by Tyler Perry. Since its release on Netflix, many, including Karen Jordan, Annie’s daughter, have watched the movie multiple times, each viewing evoking different emotions and connections to the past.

Karen and other descendants of the women in the 6888 are working to ensure their mothers’ stories are recognized and celebrated. Inspired by advocates pushing for the battalion to receive a Congressional Gold Medal, Karen has been gathering information, reaching out to other descendants, and planning for a more structured organization to preserve their legacy.

Annie Knight Jordan’s legacy extends beyond her time in the military. After being discharged, she attended college on the GI Bill, eventually graduating from Howard University and settling in Savannah with her husband. She was an educator, community activist, civic leader, and civil rights activist, leaving a lasting impact on her community. She passed away in 2010 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

As the descendants of the 6888 women come together to honor their mothers’ contributions, their goal is to ensure their stories are told and remembered for generations to come. The journey from quarterly Zoom meetings to a structured organization reflects their commitment to preserving this important piece of history.