Anna Mac Clarke (1919 - 1944) - A native of Lawrenceburg and graduate of
Kentucky State University, Anna Mac Clarke was the first black woman in Kentucky
to enlist in the military during WWII. She was a member of the Women’s Army
Auxiliary Corp (WAAC). Her educational and athletic backgrounds were ideally
suited for Anna Mac Clarke to enter WAAC Officer Candidate School. She attended
officer training at the segregated Fort Des Moines military base. In February
1943, she was reassigned as Third Officer and became the first black WAAC
assigned to command an all-white platoon. While stationed at Douglas Air Field
in Arizona, she led the fight to desegregate the base theater. Shortly after,
Anna Mac Clarke died of a ruptured appendix at the base hospital in 1944. A
historical maker to honor Anna Mac Clarke, was dedicated to the Lawrenceburg
courthouse in 1997. A commemorative postage stamp is planned in her honor.
Click to view or download the poster.