Scope and Content Note
The papers of Charity Edna Adams Earley (1918-2002) span the years 1928-2002, with the bulk of the material dating from 1942 to 2002. They are arranged into categories of general correspondence, speeches and writings, subject files, and oversize material. A large portion of the papers relates to Earley’s experiences during World War II as the first African-American commissioned officer in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, which became the Woman’s Army Corps (WAC), and the highest ranking African-American woman to serve overseas during the war.
Earley’s memoir, One Woman’s Army: A Black Officer Remembers the WAC, recounts her experiences as a woman and as an African American in the segregated military at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, and as commanding officer of the 6888th Central Postal Battalion stationed in Birmingham, England, and Rouen and Paris, France. Additional information on her activities during World War II are contained in military records, press clippings, and speeches.
Included in the subject files are materials relating to organizations and programs which Charity Adams Earley served as a board member and events at which she was honored for her accomplishments.