237. Mary Barlow: Hartford's Fallen "Six-Triple-Eight" Soldier

This episode tells the story of one of the women depicted in The Six Triple Eight, a 2024 WWII war drama film by Tyler Perry that tells the true story of the 6888 Central Postal Directory Battalion. Mary Jewel Barlow was one of only three members of the 6888th Postal Directory Battalion who died in service during World War II and one of only four women buried in the Normandy American Cemetery in France. The 6888 was an all-Black, all-female Women's Army Corps battalion. A real young woman from Hartford's North End, Barlow's life and sacrifice deserve recognition. The guest is Orice Jenkins. A renowned member of Hartford's jazz community, Jenkins is also a genealogist and award-winning author originally from Hartford. His research has been featured in The Washington Post, on the National Parks Service website, and the Journal of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society. Orice has meticulously researched Mary Barlow and brings that story to us. He is a returning Grating the Nutmeg guest - he was featured with Jill Marie Synder on episode #127 - Telling Your Family's Story. Listen here: gratingthenutmeg.libsyn.com/127-telling-your-family-story-with-jill-marie-snyder-and-orice-jenkins You can find out more about his work and contact information on his website at oricejenkins.com/       He is available for book talks, programs, and genealogical research. For more about his book, The Early County Massacre: Goolsby vs. The State of Georgia, go to:  https://oricejenkins.com/earlycountymassacre Mary Barlow grew up in Hartford's North End. Be sure to go to the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History's website to plan your visit to see Drawn Here: Stories from Hartford's North End". In addition to the fabulous graphic novel artwork, the exhibit also has interesting items too. connecticutmuseum.org/exhibition/drawn-here-stories-from-hartfords-north-end/   -------------------------------- Don't forget to subscribe to Connecticut Explored magazine today - our Fall issue is out-plan your fall color-season daytrips.  And please set up your monthly donation to Grating the Nutmeg at ctexplored.org so we can continue bring you new research in Connecticut history, compelling first-person stories, and fresh voices. https://simplecirc.com/shop/connecticut-explored This episode of Grating the Nutmeg was produced by Mary Donohue and engineered by Patrick O'Sullivan at highwattagemedia.com/   Follow Grating the Nutmeg on Facebook and Instagram. Follow executive producer Mary Donohue on Facebook and Instagram at West Hartford Town Historian. Join us in two weeks for our next episode of Grating the Nutmeg, the podcast of Connecticut history. Thank you for listening!