Commemorating the life and extraordinary service of Assistant Sergeant Major Paulene Lewis Hopkins, distinguished veteran of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, educator, and civic leader

Assembly Resolution No. 1546

BY: M. of A. Cook

        LEGISALTIVE  RESOLUTION  commemorating  the life and
        extraordinary service of  Assistant  Sergeant  Major
        Paulene  Lewis Hopkins, distinguished veteran of the
        6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, educator,
        and civic leader

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize  and
honor   those   distinguished   individuals   whose  lives  of  service,
leadership, and civic commitment have enriched their  communities,  this
State, and the Nation; and

  WHEREAS,  Attendant  to  such  concern,  and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
the  memory  of  Assistant  Sergeant  Major  Paulene  Lewis  Hopkins;  a
celebration  will be held on Saturday, June 13, 2026, in New York to pay
tribute to her  extraordinary  life,  patriotic  service,  and  enduring
legacy; and

  WHEREAS,   Assistant   Sergeant   Major   Paulene   Lewis   Hopkins,
affectionately known in her youth as "Daisy," was born on  December  13,
1919,  to  Fannie  Patterson Lewis and Elbert Lewis, and was raised in a
family  whose  history  reflected  resilience,  perseverance,  and   the
enduring pursuit of freedom and opportunity; and

  WHEREAS,  Her family lineage traces back to Wash Lewis, whose family
witnessed and celebrated the historic Juneteenth announcement of freedom
in Galveston in 1865, marking the final enforcement of the  Emancipation
Proclamation in the United States; and

  WHEREAS,  Following  the  passing  of  her  mother  at an early age,
Assistant Sergeant Major Paulene Lewis  Hopkins  pursued  her  education
with   distinction,  earning  a  Bachelor  of  Arts  degree  from  Wiley
University in 1941, the  same  year  she  married  Sergeant  Mack  Henry
Hopkins; and

  WHEREAS,  Shortly  thereafter, she relocated to New York to continue
her studies at Columbia University, establishing a  lifelong  connection
to  the  State through education, professional advancement, and enduring
family ties; and

  WHEREAS, During World War II, Assistant Sergeant Major Paulene Lewis
Hopkins answered her Nation's call to service  by  joining  the  Women's
Army  Corps  on  May  4,  1943,  while her husband served with the famed
Tuskegee Airmen of the 332nd Fighter Group; she served with  distinction
in  the  6888th  Central  Postal  Directory Battalion, known as the "Six
Triple  Eight,"  the  only  all-Black,  all-female  battalion   deployed
overseas during World War II; and

  WHEREAS,  Stationed  in England and France, Assistant Sergeant Major
Paulene Lewis Hopkins and the women  of  the  Six  Triple  Eight  worked
tirelessly  under  difficult  wartime  conditions to process millions of
backlogged letters and packages intended for  American  service  members

overseas,  restoring  morale through their motto, "No Mail, Low Morale";
and

  WHEREAS, For decades, the contributions of the Six Triple Eight went
largely unrecognized, though their extraordinary achievements have since
received long-overdue national recognition and acclaim; and

  WHEREAS,  Following  her  military service, Assistant Sergeant Major
Paulene Lewis Hopkins returned to  Columbia  University  to  complete  a
Master's  Degree in Educational Administration before dedicating decades
of distinguished service as a teacher, Assistant  Principal,  Principal,
and educational administrator; and

  WHEREAS,  Her  commitment to education and civic leadership extended
beyond the classroom through devoted  service  with  Delta  Sigma  Theta
Sorority,   Inc.,   the   National  Council  of  Negro  Women,  literacy
initiatives, educational advisory councils, and the Board of Trustees of
Wiley University, which honored her with an Honorary  Doctorate  in  the
Humanities in 1976; and

  WHEREAS,   Known   for  her  grace,  intellect,  determination,  and
unwavering devotion to service, Assistant Sergeant Major  Paulene  Lewis
Hopkins  lived  a  life  defined  by  excellence  in  military  service,
education, leadership, and community empowerment; and

  WHEREAS, Assistant Sergeant Major Paulene Lewis Hopkins died in 1990
at the age of 70, leaving behind  a  distinguished  legacy  of  military
service,   educational   leadership,  civic  engagement,  and  community
empowerment; and

  WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor the  life
and  enduring  contributions  of  Assistant Sergeant Major Paulene Lewis
Hopkins,  distinguished  veteran  of  the  historic  Six  Triple  Eight,
esteemed  educator,  and  civic  leader  whose example of patriotism and
service continues to inspire future generations; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
commemorate  the  life  and  distinguished service of Assistant Sergeant
Major  Paulene  Lewis  Hopkins,  courageous   veteran,   educator,   and
trailblazing  American  whose  contributions to her Nation and community
shall not be forgotten; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That copies of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to  the  family  of  Assistant Sergeant Major Paulene Lewis
Hopkins.