PLAINVIEW - Wayland Baptist University will premiere a documentary film celebrating the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and the important work it did during WWII at a special Black History Month event on Feb. 20 at the Museum of the Llano Estacado.
"An Evening with the 6888th Battalion" will begin at 6 p.m. and includes a keynote by Elizabeth Helm-Frazier, a 1999 graduate of Wayland's San Antonio campus who played an instrumental role in honoring the all-black, all-female battalion with a national monument in November 2018. Helm-Frazier is also one of the producers of the documentary film "The Six Triple Eight: No Mail, Low Morale," which will be shown in the auditorium immediately before Helm-Frazier speaks.
Following the keynote, a brief time of Q&A will be held with Helm-Frazier. Refreshments will follow in the museum foyer, where guests can also view the temporary exhibit on women in the service. Books written by the battalion commander, Major Charity Adams, and others about the group will be on hand for purchase as well.
"The story of the 6888th's work on behalf of our American soldiers is really fascinating, and Liz is passionate about sharing the tale of these extraordinary African-American women," said Teresa Young, director of alumni relations at Wayland. "Since she is one of our alumni, we are even more excited to welcome Liz as we premiere the documentary in Plainview. I know folks will enjoy hearing the story as much as we did."
Helm-Frazier's visit falls on the 75th anniversary of the day the 6888th landed in England in 1945. The event is part of the Black History Month celebration on the Wayland campus as well as a year-long emphasis on women across all academic schools, in conjunction with the 100th anniversary of women's right to vote. The event is sponsored by the Wayland Alumni Association, Wayland Museums and the WBU Multidisciplinary Committee.
A native of Largo, Fla., Helm-Frazier served just over 25 years with the U.S. Army, retiring in 2006 and then working as a military contractor before entering civil service. She currently serves as executive assistant to the chief information security officer at the Veteran's Administration in Virginia.
For more information on the event, contact the Alumni Relations office at (806) 291-3600.
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