On May 14, the House approved, by voice vote, a bill (H.R. 1617) designating a U.S. Postal Service facility in University City, Missouri as the “Harriet F. Woods Post Office Building.”
The sponsor of the bill, Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-MO), stated, “I rise today in strong support of H.R. 1617, which would name a post office after a true pioneer in Missouri politics and especially for women in politics, Harriett F. Woods…Her political career began in the 1960s as a member of the University City Council where she became the first woman appointed to the State Highway Commission…In 1984, she was elected Lieutenant Governor, becoming the first woman elected to statewide office in Missouri history. She was a trailblazer for women in politics even after she left elected office. She served four years as president of the nonpartisan National Women’s Political Caucus. During her tenure, the number of women elected to Congress increased dramatically, including the historic ‘Year of the Woman’ election of 1992…Harriett Woods was a role model and inspiration to young people, but especially young women. I am proud to have introduced this legislation to name her hometown post office in her honor, ensuring that her memory and inspiration will continue to be a visible part of our community.”
Rep. Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA) said, “Harriett Woods, a devoted mother, wife, grandmother, politician, author, and community activist, passed away at her home in University City, Missouri, this February of leukemia. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in Chicago, Illinois, she went on to attend the University of Michigan…Her political career began as a stay-at-home mom. She went to the city council with a complaint about a noisy manhole cover. When they ignored her, she pushed forward launching a successful petition to have the street closed…Soon after, she was elected to the University City Council where she served for eight years…She remained active in politics and her local community throughout the rest of her life, focusing primarily on women’s issues…Her dedicated work even earned her a spot on the St. Louis Walk of Fame. It is with great pleasure that we honor her today with this post office naming, and I ask all Members to support H.R. 1617 in honor of this great lady.”
