During the premiere of Tyler Perry‘s war drama film The Six Triple Eight, Big Sean walked down the red carpet with a portrait of his grandmother, who had a real-life connection with the Women’s Army Corps.
According to the Better Me Than You rapper his grandma was one of the 855 women of color who served in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II.
The Detroit rhymer told The Hollywood Reporter:
“I told Tyler Perry how thankful I was because it’s such an overlooked crucial piece of American history and Black history. The 6888 battalion connected millions and millions with over 17 million pieces of mail where there was no other means of communication to families and information about loved ones. They were fighting their own war being strong Black women during segregation and fighting for their country.”
He continued: “I’m just proud of them. Not just my grandmother, proud of all of them. I’m happy to be raised by such strong Black women who are embedded in my DNA and I’m forever grateful for it. It’s a super emotional night.”
Starring Kerry Washington, The Triple Six Eight “focuses on the first African American women in the Women’s Army Corps who were stationed overseas during World War II.” Perry produced the movie alongside Nicole Avant, Angi Bones, Tony L. Strickland, Keri Selig, and Carlota Espinosa.
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion played a pivotal role in the war effort by tackling a massive three-year backlog of mail—17 million pieces—that had not reached American soldiers stationed far from home. Despite facing discrimination and working in a vast, unfamiliar country torn by global conflict, these 855 women delivered hope to the front lines.
