Member Of First U.S. African-American All-Female Military Battalion Honored In Milwaukee

There was a service medals ceremony in Milwaukee on Wednesday for Anna Mae Wilson Robertson, a member of the first U.S. African-American all-female military battalion.

Robertson served in Europe during World War II, as part of a Women’s Army Corps battalion that helped clear a backlog of mail to other soldiers. Robertson spent part of her service in England, where black women were not allowed to sleep, shower or eat with other female personnel.

Robertson said she was used to segregated conditions.

“I’m from Alabama and Arkansas so I knew about the segregation,” said Robertson. “That wasn’t too new to me.”

Robertson lived in Milwaukee after the war. Her battalion was formally honored in 2009, but a problem with military records prevented Robertson from being included – hence, the ceremony for Robertson on Wednesday at the office of U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Milwaukee).

Robertson recently turned 90 years old.