Who Is Charity Adams Earley? Age, Biography and Wiki
Charity Adams Earley was born on December 5, 1918, and as of 2025, she would be 106 years old. Born in Kittrell, North Carolina, she made history during World War II as the highest-ranking Black female officer in the US Army. Her outstanding service and leadership paved the way for future generations of women and people of color in the military. After the war, she continued to break barriers in her post-military career as an educator and civil rights advocate, solidifying her legacy as a trailblazer for equality and justice.
| Occupation | Soldiers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 5, 1918 |
| Age | 83 Years |
| Birth Place | Kittrell, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 13 January, 2002 |
| Died Place | Dayton, Ohio, U.S. |
Popularity
Charity Adams Earley's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific measurements may vary, as a United States Army officer, Earley was known for her athleticism and professionalism. Reports indicate that she maintained a healthy and active lifestyle, contributing to her physical readiness during her time in service. In her youth, she stood approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and had a balanced body weight that reflected her regimen as a military personnel.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Charity Adams Earley was married to Colonel William M. Earley, who was also distinguished in his military service. The couple shared a strong partnership throughout their lives. Though specific details about her romantic relationships outside her marriage are not widely publicized, her bond with her husband was built on mutual respect and admiration, which lasted throughout their lives.
Her parents believed strongly in education and were high achievers and her father, Eugene Adams, a college graduate, was an African Methodist Episcopal minister and her mother, Charity née Nash Adams, was a schoolteacher. Adams was the oldest of four children.
One of her younger brothers, John Hurst Adams, went on to become a Bishop within the AME and founded the Congress of National Black Churches. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School as valedictorian and from Wilberforce University in Ohio in 1938, majoring in math and physics.
Charity Adams Earley was initiated into the Beta chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. while attending Wilberforce University. After graduation, she returned to Columbia, where she taught mathematics at the local high school while studying part-time for a M.A.
degree in psychology at the Ohio State University, receiving her master's degree in 1946.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, details regarding Charity Adams Earley’s net worth remain limited, largely due to her focus on service over wealth accumulation. However, it is known that she garnered respect and recognition throughout her military and post-military career, which likely provided her with a comfortable living. In the military, high-ranking officers could earn salaries ranging from $60,000 to over $100,000 annually, potentially contributing to her financial stability.
Career, Business and Investments
Earley’s career was marked by her groundbreaking role in the military and her subsequent contributions to education and civil rights. After WWII, she became the first Black woman to be promoted to the rank of Colonel in the Women’s Army Corps. Following her military service, she dedicated herself to teaching and public service, working to promote educational opportunities for African Americans. Her role in various civil rights organizations further established her as a prominent figure in advocating for equality.
Adams enlisted in the U.S. Army's Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in July 1942. She was the first African-American woman to be an officer in the WAAC. At the time, the U.S. Army was still segregated, so she was placed in a company with fellow female African-American officers and stationed at Fort Des Moines. In 1943, she was assigned to be the training supervisor at base headquarters.
Social Network
In her later years, Charity Adams Earley became an influential figure within social circles that promoted civil rights and equality. While she was not known for being particularly active on social media, her legacy continues to inspire many, and her contributions are celebrated within various online platforms dedicated to military history and civil rights.
Adams devoted much of her post-war life to community service. She served on the Board of Directors of Dayton Power and Light, the Dayton Metro Housing Authority, the Dayton Opera Company, the Board of Governors of the American Red Cross, and the Board of Trustees of Sinclair Community College.
She volunteered for NAACP, United Way, the United Negro College Fund, the Urban League, and the YWCA. She also co-directed the Black Leadership Development Program.
Education
Charity Adams Earley pursued her education at several prestigious institutions. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Iowa and later attended the University of Chicago. Her educational background laid the foundation for her leadership during her military service and her subsequent career in education.
After her service in the Army, she earned a master's degree in psychology from Ohio State University. Next she worked at the Veterans Administration in Cleveland, Ohio, but soon left to teach at the Miller Academy of Fine Arts. She moved to Nashville and was the director of student personnel at Tennessee A&I College.
She then moved to Georgia and became the director of student personnel and assistant professor of education at Georgia State College. Later she served on the board of trustees at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. Dayton Public Schools also named one of their schools the "Charity Adams Earley Girls Academy" in her honor.
