PRST STD U.S.POSTAGE PAID TWIN CITIES MN PERMIT NO. 6391
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THE VOICE OF BLACK MINNESOTA SINCE 1934 March 26 - April 1, 2026
Vol. 92
No. 34
Phone: 612-827-4021 www.spokesman-recorder.com
More than a prisoner of war: HIGHLIGHTS Shoshana Johnson reflects on service ARTS:
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By Damenica Ellis Staff Writer
Johnson said she hates the title as the first African American prisoner of war and would hoshana Johnson, a rather highlight the contribuwar veteran and au- tions of Black women like her thor known as the in the military. “Over 200 years … Black fefirst African American woman prisoner of war, said males have been contributing, she does not like to be re- whether they acknowledge it or not, but I’m the first one to membered that way. “I’m a survivor, I survived get caught. That’s not somecaptivity,” she said. “I’m a fe- thing I jump up and down male veteran, a female Army about,” she said. When looking at history, soldier.” Johnson was born in the Johnson said, she notices that Republic of Panama before people tend to overshadow immigrating with her family the contributions of women, to Texas. Military service was women of color and people of something she was familiar color. The first person killed in with as her father served in conflict for America during the the Army for 21 years and sev- revolutionary war was Crispus eral aunts, uncles and cousins Attucks, she said, a Black and Native American man. also served. “Do we have anything Johnson joined Junior ROTC in high school and said named after him or anything the military was part of her like that?” Johnson asked. “No, because they want to hide the background. “After I dropped out of col- contributions.” Johnson is part of a long lege, trying to find my way, I joined the military,” Johnson history of women in the military, she said. Women have said. During her time in the Army, been serving since the RevoJohnson was captured by Iraqi lutionary War and Civil War forces during the Iraq War. disguised as men or serving She was rescued after 22 days alongside their husbands. This and later received a Bronze is not highlighted, she said. “I think there’s a real inStar Medal, Purple Heart and justice done to our young Prisoner of War Medal.
With Dancer
Imani Moore
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EDUCATION:
Turning vintage finds into college savings
Courtesy people by not highlighting how we truly got here as a nation. Women served, people of color served, and looking
at those old movies from the it’s not true.” Johnson’s story did not 30s and 40s, thinking it was just white male, and thinking end with the military. She that’s how you won the war, ■ See SHOSHANA on page 5
Dr. Marcheta Evans The unsung heroes of World leads St. Kate’s with War II: The Six Triple Eight purpose, presence and power By Alex Nellis Analysis
High school senior turned his passion for thrifting into a profitable resale side business—earning around $10,000 to help fund college—while promoting sustainability and creative entrepreneurship.
BUSINESS:
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Women-owned businesses new definition of success
misdirected mail. Working turned away by the Red Cross at an astonishing pace, pro- from using housing spaces, cessing 65,000 pieces per forcing them to stay with uring World War shift, they cleared the initial English families who offered II, the 6888th backlog in just three months. accommodations. Even when Central Postal Di- Their success led to a second the Red Cross eventually rectory Battalion, assignment at a major facil- built a clubhouse, it was inadbetter known as the Six Triple ity in France, where, given a equate compared with faciliEight, performed a mission of 180-day deadline, they again ties available to white soldiers, extraordinary importance, yet completed the work in three and the battalion refused to their story remained largely months. Their efficiency en- use it, standing firm in their overlooked for decades. This sured soldiers and families principles. Tragedy struck in all-Black female battalion, could reconnect, stabilizing 1945 when three members consisting of 31 officers and morale at a critical moment in died in a car accident, and the Army refused to cover funeral 824 enlisted members, was the war. Despite their accomplish- expenses, claiming the deaths tasked with solving a stagTwin Cities Black women gering mail backlog that left ments, the Six Triple Eight were not combat-related. entrepreneurs are building After returning home in relentless barriers millions of soldiers discon- faced community-focused nected from their families. rooted in racism and segrega- 1946, the Six Triple Eight rebusinesses despite funding Their efforts not only re- tion. They were denied access ceived little recognition. Major and bias barriers. ■ See SIX on page 5 stored communication but to main Army facilities and also provided vital support to morale and military operations overseas. At the height of the war, over Dr. Marcheta Evans Courtesy 17 million pieces of mail went undelivered due to staff shortnavigating both opportunity ages and outdated sorting sysBy Jasmine McBride tems. For soldiers and civilians and uncertainty. Editor “We are stewarding the alike, letters were the only conor Women’s History present and the future,” Evans nection to loved ones. Without Month, leadership said. “It’s about being pres- them, families had no way to stories often center ent in the moment and un- know if soldiers were safe, and on legacy. For Dr. derstanding the responsibility troops were cut off from the support they desperately needMarcheta Evans, leadership is that comes with that.” That responsibility is sig- ed. Into this challenge stepped just as much about the present. As president of St. Cath- nificant. St. Kate’s serves the Six Triple Eight. The battalion quickly deerine University, Evans is roughly 3,700 students, many focused on what she calls of whom are first-generation veloped an innovative trackstewardship in real time: serv- college students or come ing system, creating 7 mil- Members of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (Six Triple Eight) march in a May ing students, supporting fac- from high-need backgrounds. lion identification cards for 1945 parade in Rouen, France, honoring Joan of Arc at the site where she was executed. ■ See EVANS on page 5 soldiers and investigating ulty and guiding an institution Public Domain