Hello Friends!
Is it Fall already? I don’t know about you, but summer seemed to slip by faster than usual. We hope it’s because everyone is returning to (new) normal lives, traveling and getting together with family and friends.
And speaking of traveling, we traveled to Fort Lee in August for the Women’s Equality Day Observance, and were joined by FAWMA Board members and volunteers for a special event showcasing the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. COL Edna Cummings, USA, Ret. and MSG Elizabeth Helm-Frazier, USA, Ret. gave a dynamic and informative presentation on the accomplishments of these brave and dedicated Soldiers, a handful of whom are in their 90’s! Following their briefing, Cydnee and I were called on the stage by Edna and Lizz to accept an original of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded by President Biden. We were truly humbled by their generosity.
And we are even more inspired and motivated to support the AWM as they collect artifacts from remaining 6888th members and families to build an exhibit of the 6888th! To support the capital campaign, we have created a QR code and the opportunity to designate donations to the effort. Check it out on our website and social media.
Additionally, Giving Tuesday falls on 29 November this year. Last year was our most successful campaign ever—thanks to your generosity, we raised $10,312.00! Our goal for this year is to raise $12,000, and our purpose is to support the 6888th Exhibit. Please consider helping us to achieve our goal by donating!
As our next FAWMA Focus will not be published until January 2023, Cydnee and I wish you a joyous holiday season, filled with laughter and love.
“Teamwork makes the dream work!” We can’t thank you enough for being part of our team!
Aimee and Cydnee
FAWMA, Co-Presidents
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Co-President: COL Aimee Kominiak, USA, Ret.
Co-President: Ms. Cydnee Gentry
Treasurer: Ms. Luanne Kolleda
Secretary: COL Mary Beth Taylor, USA, Ret.
Past President/Member at Large: LTC Delinda Creal, USA, Ret.
Member at Large: Ms. Vicki Archileti
Member at Large: MAJ Flo Dunn, USA, Ret.
Member at Large: SFC Gail Taylor-Black, USA, Ret.
Member at Large: Ms. Secille Siverio
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Welcome Fall!
As we enter this beautiful time of the year here in central Virginia, we have plenty of great things to share. In August, we partnered with the Combined Arms Support Command (CASCOM) and the Transportation School to host the Fort Lee Women’s Equality Day Observance. The AWM invited civilian advocates, COL Edna Cummings, USA, Ret. and MSG Elizabeth Helm-Frazier, USA, Ret. to talk about the work they have done on behalf of the Six Triple Eight Central Postal Directory Battalion. Cummings and Helm-Frazier raised funds for the 6888th monument in FT Leavenworth, KS, co-produced an award-winning documentary, and championed the effort with Congress to pass the Six Triple Eight Congressional Gold Medal Act. The entire FAWMA Executive Board showed up to support the event.
This quarter, we were able to support two volunteer signup events and host a volunteer orientation here at the museum for six new recruits. Although we were sad to say goodbye to Colonel Karin Watson, our Garrison Commander, we were thrilled that her staff chose to present COL Watson with a commemorative brick from the AWM. We were also excited to have our security system upgraded so now all the museum exterior doors are fully monitored and in compliance with regulation. In September, we supported “Meet Your Army,” a large community outreach event hosted by Fort Lee, and an event at Pamplin Historical Park.
Finally, we just published the first product in our new suite of marketing materials. This Media Kit provides an overview of the galleries, programs, and resources here at the AWM and can be found on our website at www.awm.lee.army.mil. As always, I want to thank you all for your continued support and encouragement – FAWMA is simply the best!
Sincerely,
Tracy
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MAJ Charity Adams and CPT Mary Kearney inspecting troops in Birmingham, England, 1945. |
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CORRECTING HISTORY
A name restored! The AWM staff persuaded the National Archives and Records Administration to correct the official caption of an iconic 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion WWII photograph. Since the family of CPT Mary Kearney first saw the image published in “Ebony” magazine in 1994, they have petitioned to have the caption correctly identify their aunt as the Soldier behind MAJ Charity Adams. The AWM staff was able to file a successful objection to the original caption, citing contemporary images and film footage, and explain how the error was likely made.
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The AWM and FAWMA are celebrating the achievements of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion and LTC Charity Adams. The Naming Commission recommended a new base name in her honor and the 6888th Congressional Gold Medal has been approved by Congress. The AWM with FAWMA's support is planning to honor both the Six Triple-Eight and LTC Adams with an exhibit opening early 2024.
Please help support our efforts!
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Thank You for your continued support of the AWM.
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Sustainment Pre-Command Course
The AWM is now a permanent part of the Sustainment Pre-Command Course. Each cohort spends one day of their training at the AWM and the Curator shares information about the museum’s Soldier History and Heritage Training Programs, the Gender Integration Initiative, and Women in Army History webpages as resources for these future commanders.
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Visit from the Nation's WWII Museum
The AWM Curator hosted Kim Guise, Senior Curator and Director for Curatorial Affairs at The National WWII Museum, for a day long visit to the museum. After receiving a tour of the galleries, Ms. Guise conducted research in the AWM achieves for an upcoming exhibit entitled Our War Too: Women in Service. The AWM Curator and volunteer archivists will continue to support this effort by digiting material selected for the WWII Museum exhibit. Of note, Ms. Guise was on her way to NMUSA for the opening of the Bob Hope exhibit. She met FAWMA’s own Flo Dunn, who commented that she had seen Bob Hope twice – in Saigon and Bangkok. Flo even placed his name on a commemorative plaque, on display here at the AWM, in honor of his service to the troops. Ms. Guise was duly impressed!
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AWM AWARD WINNING
LIVE STUDIO
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JOIN US FOR AN AWARD WINNING
VIRTUAL PROGRAM THROUGH THE AWM
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Come learn with the U.S. Army Women's Museum! On Tuesday October 18th at 1pm EST, come join us and the Center for Interactive Learning & Collaboration for our FREE program, "Island of Integration!" Our Virtual Educator, Micaela Procopio, will take learners through the history of desegregation of the Women's Army Corps, with a special focus on LTC Charity Adams and the 6888th. This program is best for 7th-12th Graders, as well as adult learners! This program is free, but you must register in advance.
Please register by clicking here and we look forward to seeing you virtually on October 18th!
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AWM MEDIA KIT
The Army Women’s Museum has published a new Media Kit. This 16-page product provides an overview of the museum, mission, gallery highlights, facility features, and educational products. Designed for both military and civilian audiences, this Media Kit is part of a larger marketing strategy to increase awareness of the museum as an Army and community asset. The Media Kit can be viewed on the AWM Website www.awm.lee.army.mil.
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OUTREACH AND
COMMUNITY EVENTS
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COL Edna Cummings, USA, Ret., Cydnee Gentry, FAWMA Co-President, MSG Elizabeth Helm-
Frazier, USA, Ret., and COL Aimee Kominiak, USA, Ret., FAWMA Co-President
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COL Edna Cummings, USA, Ret. and MSG Elizabeth Helm-Frazier, USA, Ret. spoke at Women's Equality Day on August 25, 2022 at Fort Lee. They presented an original of the Congressional Gold Medal awarded by President Biden at the event to FAWMA Co-Presidents, Cydnee Gentry and Aimee Kominiak. |
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FAWMA Board and Women's Equality Day Guest
Speaker tour the Ordnance Facility
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FAWMA Board Members and MSG, USA, Ret. Elizabeth Helm-Frazier visit the Ordnance Training Support Facility during the Fort Lee Women’s Equality Day Observance on August 25, 2022.
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Volunteer Recruiting and Orientation |
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Fort Lee Spouses Symposium
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The AWM and FAWMA team supported two different community events to publicize the museum and recruit volunteers. The Fort Lee Area Spouses Club (FLASC) Super Signup and the Fort Lee Spouses Symposium were both well attended and generated much interest in the AWM. We were able to engage with spouses as well as other groups and institutions from across post and the local area. As a result of these events, we had six new volunteers attend our Volunteer Orientation on September 26th.
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Garrison Commander receives Commemorative Brick at AWM |
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COL Karin Watson, Garrison Commander, receiving a certificate from her staff for her commemorative brick at the AWM. |
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75th National WAC Convention |
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The 75th National Convention of the WACVA - AWU was held on 19-21 Aug 2022 at the Courtyard Marriott in Killeen, TX. FAWMA and the AWM supported the event with outreach and educational materials. WAC veteran attendees appreciated the items and donated artifacts and archives to the museum.
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Fort Lee Entry Requirements – Subject to Change! |
Please be advised that the entrance requirements for Fort Lee are subject to change so you must check with the Fort Lee Visitor Control Center before you come and visit.
(804) 734-4593
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HELP US SAVE MONEY ON POSTAGE!
We need your help. Currently, we send out snail mail thank you letters to all donors who have not shared their emails with us. We also send out the quarterly FAWMA FOCUS via the Post Office. If you could send us your email address, we could send the donor Thank You letters and the newsletter electronically. This will reduce our postage costs as well as paper and printing costs. Send your email to ltfawma@gmail.com along with your name and address so we can ensure we update it properly in our database. We would really appreciate your help in reducing our costs.
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Thanks to you, we have almost 4900 users on Facebook!
But, did you know you can follow us on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube?
Check us out and help us grow!
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Leave a Legacy that Supports Women’s History |
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Do you have questions about adding the AWM in your will or trust? We appreciate your consideration in supporting the US Army Women’s Museum with a bequest through your will or trust.
By including the Friends of the US Army Women’s Museum Association in your will or trust you can ensure the rich history of women serving our country can be enjoyed by future generations. Your bequest will help inspire so many to great actions.
Gifts through wills and living trusts are simple to arrange and may be changed at any time. A provision or amendment prepared by your attorney at the time you make or update your will is all that is necessary. Please note that we are only taking monetary requests, no real estate or real property.
To make your bequest to the Friends of the Army Women’s Museum Association, please use the following language, while consulting with your attorney:
The Friends of the Army Women’s Museum Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
TO THE FRIENDS OF THE ARMY WOMEN’S MUSEUM ASSOCIATION, PRINCE GEORGE, VA , I HEREBY GIVE $______ (OR _______%) OF MY ESTATE.
Our federal tax identification number is 26-2206026
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AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon with the same products, prices, and shopping features as Amazon.com. The difference is that when you shop on AmazonSmile, the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to the charitable organization of your choice. Please consider registering the Friend's of the Army Women's Museum Association (FAWMA) on Amazon Smiles and as you buy, your purchase helps support the museum with your charitable gift. Thank you. www.smile.amazon.com
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