The fourth installment of the popular Women Rising series welcomes Colonel (Retired) Eries Mentzer, the first black woman to command Maxwell Air Force Base (Montgomery, Alabama) to tell the story of the trailblazing women and actions of President Harry S. Truman that paved the way for her freedom to serve.

The 6888th Central Directory Postal Battalion was the only unit of mostly-Black American women to be sent overseas during the Second World War. The mission? Boost the morale of seven-million war-weary American service members stationed throughout Europe in 1945 by labeling, sorting, and clearing millions of pieces of mail. The stockpile, left languishing in warehouses for months, even years, was predicted to take six months to process. The battalion, nicknamed “Six Triple Eight,” did it in just three. Their work is the subject of Tyler Perry’s newest Netflix film.

However, the only all-female unit to go forward in World War II was not recognized until 2022, when they received a Congressional Gold Medal. Colonel Mentzer had the honor of presenting the medal to one of the surviving members of the original 855 who served in the Six Triple Eight.

The 6888th’s exemplary service and valor helped inspire President Truman to take two significant steps in the journey towards equal rights: the Women’s Armed Services Integration Act granting women permanent rather than auxiliary military service status, and Executive Order 9981 desegregating the U.S. military.

Hear from Colonel Mentzer about the powerful role of the Six Triple Eight and other trailblazing women, especially women of color, in shaping America’s military, and her career and work to honor these veterans and their families.

LEARN MORE & REGISTER

HONORARY CHAIRS
Carla & Danny O’Neill

EVENT CHAIRS
Polly & Jeffrey Kramer, M.D.
Bridget McCandless, M.D. & Dennis Taylor

Save the date for WILD ABOUT HARRY!, the premier fundraising event benefiting Harry S. Truman’s presidential library and legacy.

Held at the historic Muehlebach Hotel—President Truman’s hometown political headquarters—WILD ABOUT HARRY! attracts nearly 800 guests annually and features exciting sponsor benefits, a Sponsors’ Happy Hour Kick-Off, VIP Patrons’ Party, Underwriters’ Reception, Social Hour with open bar, live music, a chef-curated three course dinner and much more.

Whether you love history, love Harry, or just love a great party, you won’t want to miss WILD ABOUT HARRY!

LEARN MORE

View temporary exhibitions now showing at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum and in the community. Unless otherwise noted, special exhibitions are included with regular Museum admission at the Truman Library, where Members enjoy free year-round admission.

SEE WHAT’S ON VIEW

THE PROMISE OF AMERICA

Applications are open for a regional teacher workshop at the Truman Library, hosted in partnership with Ford’s Theater. Local teachers are encouraged to apply for this free oratory-based professional workshop for K-12 teachers. Join colleagues and museum educators to explore how two iconic leaders—Harry Truman and Abraham Lincoln—navigated unprecedented national crises and left lasting legacies. This three-day workshop offers educators the opportunity to engage with primary sources, scholarly insights, public speaking and theater arts-integrated strategies that will enrich classroom discourse and teaching on presidential

LEARN MORE

EXPLORING THE PRESIDENCY FROM THE 18TH TO 20TH CENTURIES

Applications open January 6, 2025, for the Truman Library’s annual Summer Teacher Conference.

Join us for a collaborative, immersive five-day professional development workshop designed to help teachers create a deeper understanding of the president’s role within a democracy, strengthen classroom best practices, and connect historical relevance to student learning. This week-long workshop is open to K-12 teachers nationwide. The Truman Library’s nationally recognized educators will be joined by scholars from other presidential sites, including Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, and the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library.

LEARN MORE

Book one of our dynamic speakers to create a captivating and informative program for your next meeting! Engage audiences with Truman-era presentations designed to spark conversations, inspire insights, and entertain. Presentations are intended for adult groups of 20 or more, and speakers are limited to a one-hour radius from Kansas City.

Now booking 2025 events!

LEARN MORE