February is Black History Month — a time to pay tribute to the achievements of African Americans throughout the nation’s history. More than 133,000 African Americans currently work for the Postal Service.
Harriet Tubman was one of the African-American women featured in the Black Heritage Stamp Series.
This year’s national theme is “Black Women in American Culture and History.” Since 1978, the Postal Service has honored African Americans through the Black Heritage Stamp Series. Of the series’ 34 stamps, 12 have been women — including abolitionist and Underground Railroad leader Harriet Tubman, education and civil rights leader Mary McLeod Bethune and journalist Ida Wells.
This month, USPS also is recognizing the accomplishments of black women employees such as Minnie Cox, the first African-American female Postmaster. Cox was appointed Postmaster in 1891. USPS also is recognizing the 885 women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II, the only battalion of African-American women to go overseas. The battalion is featured in the National Postal Museum’s “Mail Call” exhibit.
Click here to learn more about “Black Women in American Culture and History.” You may also visit the Postal Store to order collectible items related to Black History Month.