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A Soldier's Life: A Black Woman's Rise from Army Brat to Six Triple Eight Champion
One woman's extraordinary personal journey in the US military and her triumphant effort to honor her predecessors with the Congressional Gold Medal
Looking back on her remarkable career, Retired Army Colonel Edna W. Cummings can justly say that “the odds ain’t good, but good stuff happens.” Her story is as inspiring as it is improbable, but her memoir is about much more than herself. Chronicling Cummings’s unlikely but successful path to leadership roles in the army and afterward, it also tells the story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion—known as the Six Triple Eight—a trailblazing African American World War II Women’s Army Corps unit now the subject of a Netflix film and a Broadway-bound musical — and the grassroots campaign Cummings led to honor them.
In 2022, due in large part to Cummings’s efforts, the Six Triple Eight was awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor—the Congressional Gold Medal. Among the fewer than two hundred recipients, including the crew of Apollo 11 and the Navajo Code Talkers, the Six Triple Eight is the only women’s unit to receive this prestigious decoration. In A Soldier’s Life Colonel Cummings narrates her path from childhood to advocate and how she overcame incredible odds not only for herself but on behalf of those who had come before her.
Looking back on her remarkable career, Retired Army Colonel Edna W. Cummings can justly say that “the odds ain’t good, but good stuff happens.” Her story is as inspiring as it is improbable, but her memoir is about much more than herself. Chronicling Cummings’s unlikely but successful path to leadership roles in the army and afterward, it also tells the story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion—known as the Six Triple Eight—a trailblazing African American World War II Women’s Army Corps unit now the subject of a Netflix film and a Broadway-bound musical — and the grassroots campaign Cummings led to honor them.
In 2022, due in large part to Cummings’s efforts, the Six Triple Eight was awarded the nation’s highest civilian honor—the Congressional Gold Medal. Among the fewer than two hundred recipients, including the crew of Apollo 11 and the Navajo Code Talkers, the Six Triple Eight is the only women’s unit to receive this prestigious decoration. In A Soldier’s Life Colonel Cummings narrates her path from childhood to advocate and how she overcame incredible odds not only for herself but on behalf of those who had come before her.
280 pages, Hardcover
Published May 8, 2025
6 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 25, 2025
A Soldier’s Life is a powerful and insightful memoir that highlights perseverance, courage, and the determination to break down barriers.
Edna Cummings shares her journey from growing up as an Army brat to becoming a trailblazing leader in the U.S. Army. Throughout her career she uncovers the extraordinary history of the Six Triple Eight Battalion and takes on a new mission, fighting for their long-overdue recognition with the Congressional Gold Medal.
Cummings faces countless hurdles along the way, yet her drive to push through racial, gender-based, and systemic challenges is both inspiring and motivating.
I especially appreciated how her personal story intertwines with the legacy of the Six Triple Eight. Her dedication to ensuring these remarkable women are honored and remembered is truly admirable.
If you’re interested in military history, leadership, or stories of resilience and advocacy, this book is an absolute must-read.
Edna Cummings shares her journey from growing up as an Army brat to becoming a trailblazing leader in the U.S. Army. Throughout her career she uncovers the extraordinary history of the Six Triple Eight Battalion and takes on a new mission, fighting for their long-overdue recognition with the Congressional Gold Medal.
Cummings faces countless hurdles along the way, yet her drive to push through racial, gender-based, and systemic challenges is both inspiring and motivating.
I especially appreciated how her personal story intertwines with the legacy of the Six Triple Eight. Her dedication to ensuring these remarkable women are honored and remembered is truly admirable.
If you’re interested in military history, leadership, or stories of resilience and advocacy, this book is an absolute must-read.
September 8, 2025
A Soldier’s Life is an inspiring and eye-opening memoir that shines a light on resilience, determination, and breaking barriers.
Edna Cummings takes readers on a journey from her upbringing as an Army brat to becoming a leader in the Army. Along the way she discovers the story of the Six Triple Eight Battalion, and begins a new journey to Congressional Gold Medal advocacy.
There are numerous setbacks along the way but through the challenges of race, gender, and systemic obstacles, Cummings continues to overcome.
Really enjoyed how the stories became intertwined and forever grateful for her work to ensure the women of the Six Triple Eight will not be forgotten.
For anyone interested in military history, leadership, or personal resilience, this is a must-read.
Edna Cummings takes readers on a journey from her upbringing as an Army brat to becoming a leader in the Army. Along the way she discovers the story of the Six Triple Eight Battalion, and begins a new journey to Congressional Gold Medal advocacy.
There are numerous setbacks along the way but through the challenges of race, gender, and systemic obstacles, Cummings continues to overcome.
Really enjoyed how the stories became intertwined and forever grateful for her work to ensure the women of the Six Triple Eight will not be forgotten.
For anyone interested in military history, leadership, or personal resilience, this is a must-read.
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June 23, 2025I was intrigued by the movie, but I read the intro and a few pages of ch. 1 and it was just too dense for me. All the jargon and my lack of history knowledge didn’t help either.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews