Rising Junior’s Research on the Role of Black Women in WWII Featured in “Celebrating Juneteenth” Showcase
Rising junior Dora M. 27’s research project, entitled “Chasing Justice: Rights and Responsibility of African American Women in WWII,” was featured in National History Day Massachusetts 2025 “Celebrating Juneteenth” virtual showcase. Dora’s project was selected from over 700 entries as an outstanding example of research highlighting stories of African American history, culture, achievement, and freedom.
Dora’s exhibit explores the role of Black American women across WWII, from the Black Rosies to the Red Cross to the 6888th Battalion, and their fight to fulfill their responsibilities and gain equal rights both in the military and society at large. The project was inspired by a film about the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC).
Dora elaborates: “I give credit to the trailer for WAC’s 6888th Battalion— this video initially captured my attention and kindled my interest for rights and responsibilities in World War II. The movie, first premiered in December, retold the story of a group of trained Black female soldiers who went abroad to sort mail for America. I expected inspirational comments below the video, but I was taken aback by the countless negative exclamations along the lines of ‘Why should we waste our time watching people sort mail?’ I was piqued by those comments and thus began my dive into the turbulent war history where Black women triumphed over the double discrimination and earned their respective recognition.”
The Massachusetts Historical Society’s annual National History Day Massachusetts Juneteenth exhibition, launched in 2020, aims to promote understanding of and engagement with the Juneteenth holiday, highlight select NHD student projects whose work explores topics related to African American history, culture, achievement, and freedom, and to spread awareness of these often-marginalized historical narratives.