K 1546: 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.