| During this week after President Trump announced bombings in Iran, the What We Need to Know Newsletter chose to honor history-making African American Heroes in the U.S. Government and Military Soldier and community activist, Lt. Col. Charity E. Adams-Earley served as the highest-ranking Black woman officer during World War II. Her service during the war helped defeat the Axis Powers. But Adams also fought against segregation in the Army and helped open the doors of opportunity for African American women in the military. Faced by challenges all her life, Adams’ commitment to activism helped her better her life and the lives of others. Charity Edna Adams was born in Kitrell, North Carolina on Dec. 5, 1918. The oldest of four children, she grew up in a family of educators; her father was a minister and her mother a former teacher. Adams moved to South Carolina as a young girl and she considered the state home. Forced to navigate racial prejudice and discrimination, Adams faced these challenges with the help of her mother’s instruction and tutelage at home. She started school as a second-grader and graduated high school two years early as valedictorian of her class. Educator, soldier, and psychologist, Charity Adams Earley paved the way for African American women in the military, in education, and in her community. Her most prominent role was leading the first African American women unit of the army on a tour of duty overseas during World War II. (READ MORE) |
