Black Texans, Inc. Declares July 8 as “6888th Day” Honoring the Yellow Roses From Texas. By Pastor Kyev Tatum, New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church.

 


April 18, 2025


Black Texans, Inc. Declares July 8 as “6888th Day” Honoring the Yellow Roses From Texas. By Pastor Kyev Tatum, New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church – Fort Worth, TX


Fort Worth, TX – In a landmark recognition of valor, service, and sacrifice, Black Texans, Inc. has officially declared July 8, 2025, as “6888th Day” to honor the 43 courageous Black women from Texas who served in the trailblazing 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion—the only all-Black, all-female unit deployed overseas during World War II.




Now known as the Yellow Roses From Texas, these extraordinary women stepped forward during a time when racial and gender discrimination was deeply entrenched in American society. Despite these barriers, they answered the call of duty with excellence and determination. Assigned to resolve a massive six-month backlog of undelivered military mail in Europe, the 6888th processed over 65,000 pieces of mail per day—ultimately sorting 17 million pieces in just three months, half the time they were given.



This new statewide designation also honors the legacy of Emily D. West, the inspiration behind the iconic “Yellow Rose of Texas” legend. Like West, the women of the 6888th embodied courage, dignity, and purpose—qualities too often overlooked in the mainstream telling of our nation’s history.



The date, July 8, carries solemn significance. It marks the tragic loss of three 6888th unit members:


Pfc. Mary Bankston, Pfc. Mary Barlow, and Sgt. Dolores Browne

These brave soldiers were killed in a vehicle accident while on duty in Rouen, France, on July 8, 1945. They were laid to rest with full military honors at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer. Their sacrifice is a poignant reminder of the cost of service and the resilience required to bear that burden—especially as Black women in a segregated military.


The 43 Texas members of the 6888th being honored include:

1. Hazel Allen

2. Bessie Booker

3. Erma Pauline Boyd

4. Ruth Verjil Brown

5. Freddie William Chinn

6. Florence Marie Cole

7. Marguerite J. Ellis

8. Juanita Goodloe

9. Ira Mae Harris

10. Mary Louise Hill

11. Mildred Lois Hooper

12. Pauline Lewis Hopkins

13. Dorothy Lee Howard

14. Ernestine Elizabeth Hughes

15. Ella Mae Jackson

16. Jerrell Lawrence

17. Catherine Lee

18. Lucille Lewis

19. Ruby Lee McClung

20. Martha Anna McKnight

21. Ophelia Mills

22. Helen Beatrice Minor

23. Catherine Louise Nelson

24. Ruby M. O’Brien

25. Essie Oralea O’Riley

26. Mablyne Ortiz

27. Kate Pate

28. Essie Lee Penn

29. Mildred Elizabeth Peterson

30. Calonia V. Powell

31. Jewell Rettig

32. Minerva Loraine Revernal

33. Eddie T. Richards

34. Winnie B. Richardson

35. Onnie Lois Roberts

36. Florida Elizabeth Robey

37. Erma L. Smith

38. Lucille Smith

39. Rose Stuart

40. Millie Mary Taylor

41. Johnnie Mae Walton

42. Myrtle Elizabeth Wright

43. Mable Jeannette Zenon


“These remarkable women remind us that when Black women rise, so does the nation,” said Pastor Kyev Tatum, of New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church. “We remember them not only as military heroines, but as shining symbols of perseverance, patriotism, and purpose.”



A statewide celebration and educational campaign is being encouraged to honor their legacy, raise public awareness, and inspire future generations to recognize and remember the contributions of Texas’ Yellow Roses.


About Black Texans, Inc.

Black Texans, Inc. is a nonprofit organization committed to preserving, promoting, and teaching economic development, educational excellence, and the rich legacy of African American contributions to the history and culture of Texas. Through public education, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, the organization brings to light untold stories of courage, leadership, and community resilience from across the Lone Star State.


About Pastor Kyev Tatum

Pastor Kyev Tatum is the Senior Pastor of New Mount Rose Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth and a civil rights historian with over 30 years of experience in public advocacy and community development. He is the founding director of the Institute for the Study of Black Military Heritage, an educational initiative dedicated to preserving and promoting the stories of African Americans in the armed forces. Pastor Tatum is also the driving force behind The Texas 6888th Project, which seeks to honor the legacy of the 6888th Battalion through public events, exhibits, and educational programming across the state.


⸻


For interviews, media inquiries, or event information, please contact:

Pastor Kyev Tatum

Phone: 817-966-7625

Email: kptatum1@gmail.com

Website: www.newmountrose.com


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