Lessons in Resilience: The Six Triple Eight - Lecture

Are you a fan of the new Tyler Perry and Kerry Washington film, The Six Triple Eight? Want to take a deep dive into the battalion’s history? Join us on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at 2pm at the Weston History & Culture Center in Weston, CT or via Zoom for “Lessons in Resilience: The Six Triple Eight”. Lecture given by historical fiction author, Kaia Alderson and Dr. Sheila M. Kearney, niece of Major Mary F. Kearney of the 6888th Battalion.

Free event but registration is required. This is a hybrid event – attend in person or via Zoom. Register at: www.westoncthistory.org. Co-Sponsored by the Weston History & Culture Center, the Friends of the Weston Public Library and the League of Women Voters of Weston.

Celebrate Black History Month and learn more about the courageous women of the 6888th battalion! Kaia Alderson, author of Sisters in Arms, a historical fiction novel centered on the 6888th, will provide an overview of who the 6888th Postal Battalion were, their contributions to the Allied victory in World War II, and what we can learn from them today. Ms. Alderson’s book, Sisters in Arms will be available for purchase at the event.

Learn about Connecticut’s connection to the 6888th Postal Battalion from Dr. Sheila M. Kearney, niece of Major Mary F. Kearney. Dr. Kearney will discuss her aunt’s contributions to the battalion as well as her efforts to have the unit recognized by the state. A few of Major Kearney’s World War 2 mementos will be on view.

Event takes place at the Weston History & Culture Center at 104 Weston Road in Weston, CT. You can also tune in via Zoom. Parking and entrance are accessed from High Acre Road. In the event of inclement weather, the event will only take place on Zoom.

About Kaia Alderson: Kaia Alderson is a historical women’s fiction author with a passion for discovering “hidden figures” in African-American women’s history. She gravitates toward the stories of women who defied social, racial, and gender norms by refusing to stay in their “place” during a time when doing so could get them socially ostracized and/or killed. Kaia feels these women’s stories mirror the experiences of present-day Black women and demonstrate successful strategies for combating the roadblocks that still persist in women’s social lives and in the workplace. Her two published novels are Sisters in Arms (2021) and In A League of Her Own (2024).

About Dr. Sheila M. Kearney: Dr. Kearney is the niece of CT's MAJ Mary Francis Kearney, who served as the Army's Chief of Mail and Commanding Officer of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion ("Six Triple Eight"). Her aunt, Mary, was also selected and successfully graduated in the first, ever Army Women's Officer Training program on August 29, 1942. Dr. Sheila M. Kearney is a creative, results-driven leader with more than 30 years of professional corporate, academic, and non-profit executive experience as a management consultant, multi-certified executive coach, foundation director, academic researcher, and a life-long education leadership specialist. Currently, aside from private consulting, coaching, and new mental health therapist, Dr. Kearney currently serves on several local, national and international committees and advisory boards. Dr. Kearney is the recipient of several prestigious awards, including, Gallup’s Most Valuable Player Award, and most recently the Cardinal Shehan Center’s Volunteer of the Year Award. Kearney earned a doctorate and master’s degree from Harvard University in administration, planning and social policy, a master’s degree in educational psychology from Boston College and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Northeastern University.