The Alabama Women Behind the Inspirational New Netflix Movie ‘Six Triple Eight’

Alabama women formed part of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, World War II’s only color unit of the Women’s Army Corps.

The true story of this group of women is told in Netflix’s “The Six Triple Eight,” starring Kerry Washington and written and directed by Tyler Perry.

The 855 women who were part of the battalion contributed to the war effort by sorting through a three-year mail backlog, estimated at 17 million pieces of mail, that had not been delivered to American soldiers far from home. The ladies were given six months to solve the task, but were able to do it in three.

Romay Davis, a Montgomery woman, was awarded the 2021 Congressional Gold Medal for her service.

A native of Virginia, Davis enlisted in 1943, following her five brothers. After the war, she continued to live abroad, work in fashion and run a Winn-Dixie grocery store.

She was the oldest living member of the Six Triple Eight at the age of 104 until her death in June 2024.

Another Alabama woman was Talladega College alum was 1st Lt. Lillian W. Duncan, who graduated in 1937, continued her service and returned to active duty in 1949 as a captain in the United States Air Force, according to the school.

At one point in her military career, she was stationed in London and later at McGuire Air Force Base in New Jersey, where she earned the Air Force Commendation Medal. In 1964, she withdrew as a major and went on to become an educator. Duncan died in 2010.

In all, an estimated two dozen Alabama women were part of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion.

“Six Triple Eight” will be available to stream on Netflix starting December 20.