LOOK BACK KAPPA HISTORY
commissioned as officers. Some of the 40 Black women attending the camp were members of the historically Black collegiate sororities. DELTA SIGMA THETA Two of the most notable ΔΣΘ members were Lieutenant Colonel Chairity Adams and Executive Officer Captain Abbie Noel Campbell.
Top: Event attendees listen as a program presenter speaks; (bottom): Gen. John Pershing reenactment.
#18, Washington, D.C.; ΩΨΦ Founder • Henry Boger, Keystone Lodge #16, MWPHGL of Illinois; AΦA Fort Des Moines subsequently became the site of training during World War II (WWII) for the Women’s Army Aux- iliary Corps (WAAC), later named the Women’s Army Corps (WAC). Over 35,000 women applied to the first WAAC officer training class. The Army accepted 440, including 40 Black women, and began on July 20, 1942. Those selected to attend a six-week WAAC Officer Candidate School were
Adams and Campbell were among the first Black women commissioned as Lieutenants in the WAAC, August 29, 1942. Adams was promoted to Major and was the commander of the 855 female unit of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, famously known as the “Six Triple Eight.” Camp- bell was promoted to serve directly under her as Captain. The 6888th Battalion was the only WAAC unit sent overseas during WWII. It was given the crucial role of sorting and routing 17 million pieces of military mail between the soldiers and their loved ones. They were given
The new Kappa Alpha Psi Fort Des Moines banner in the Fort Des Moines Museum & Education Center.
MWPHGL of Iowa; KAΨ (Gamma 1914); 1st NAACP Des Moines Branch President • Dr. Joseph C. Tymony, Boone Lodge #150, MWPHGL of Missouri; KAΨ (Gamma 1914) • Prof. Frank Coleman, Pythagoras Lodge #9, Washington, D.C.; ΩΨΦ Founder • Edgar A. Love, Corinthian Lodge
SUMMER 2025 ♦ THE JOURNAL 77
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