Women's Activism NYC

Crescencia “joyce” Garcia

1920 - 2023

By: Chelsea Vargas | Date Added:

Crescencia Garcia was one of only six surviving members of an all-female, all-Black, segregated unit that was sent overseas during World War II. Known as the Six Triple Eight, the 855 women that served in that unit, are now receiving long-overdue recognition. She was born in Puerto Rico during a time when a loaf of bread cost 12 cents, Woodrow Wilson was president and women did not have the right to vote. When World War II began, she had already moved to New York City and felt a patriotic duty to serve her country. She enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 24 after being enraged by the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She was sent to basic training in Texas. The historic Six Triple Eight – also known as the U.S. Army’s 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion – was the largest group of Black servicewomen to serve overseas during World War II. These remarkable women shattered barriers and played a pivotal role in ensuring that mail reached our American troops, despite facing racism and sexism. Tyler Perry currently released "The Six Triple Eight (2024)", a film depicting the stories of these women on Netflix. After the war, Crescencia married Esteban Garcia II, an Army veteran himself. They raised three children in the Bronx. She spent her post-war years working as a seamstress and pattern maker in New York City's garment district. Her husband died in 1994 after 47 years of marriage. Crescencia's service to her country caught the attention of first lady Jill Biden who called Crescencia, in 2022, to thank her for her service. The phone call was a complete surprise to Crescencia.

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