Name: Edna W. Cummings
Hometown: Laurel
Business Position: Consultant, Documentary Producer
Civilian Education: B.S. Appalachian State; M.S. Army War College; M.S, Troy University
Organizations/Clubs/Philanthropies: Six Triple Eight Advocate, Military Officers Association of America, History Makers Advisory Board, Appalachian State University Warrior Fund
Civilian Honors: Army Women’s Foundation Hall of Fame, Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, Certificates of Appreciation, Military District of Washington and Joint Staff-J1
Military Retirement: Colonel, U.S. Army and November 30, 2003 Service and Key Positions: Reserve Adviser, US NORAD/NORTHCOM, Chief Emergency Operations, OCAR, Military Support to Civil Authorities Officer, and Assistant Professor Military Science, Georgetown University.
Name of Spouse and Children: Deceased (spouse), Walter and Nisa
Army Reserve Ambassador Edna W. Cummings After retiring from the Army wherein she led several DoD civil-military initiatives to develop response capabilities, Edna held management positions in several companies. She managed homeland security and information technology initiatives for federal agencies including the Department of Defense and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Afterwards, she became a sought-after consultant to assist companies navigate the complex federal bid and proposal process, taught Business Ethics and Introduction to Business as an Adjunct faculty member at Howard County Community College, and was a Howard County Community Mediator. She is a former Foundation board member at Appalachian State University wherein she established a scholarship for veterans and their children. She now conducts outreach and public education as an advocate for the World War II African American Women’s Army Corps unit, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion. Her efforts resulted in a monument at Fort Leavenworth Kansas, a Blue Plaque dedication at the King Edward School, Birmingham, England, an award-winning documentary, the Six Triple Eight, and media coverage reaching millions of audiences worldwide. Currently, Edna is championing the legislative effort with Congress to award the 6888th the nation’s highest civilian award, a Congressional Gold Medal.