Bill Introduced To Rename Fredericksburg Post Office After Civil Rights Leader

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger introduced legislation Thursday to rename a Fredericksburg post office after Gladys P. Todd, a prominent leader in the Fredericksburg civil rights movement.

Located at 1285 Emancipation Highway in Fredericksburg, the post office would honor Todd, a school teacher and community organizer who was a fixture in the city’s civil rights movement, particularly in advancing causes related to Black youth and teens.

Todd died in 2015 at the age of 101.

A lifelong advocate and dedicated NAACP member, Todd was known for her work as an advocate for Black youth with the NAACP Youth Division. From establishing playgrounds for Black youth to pioneering spaces like the “Youth Canteen” — a community center for Black teens — Todd was dedicated to making Fredericksburg a better place for future generations.

She was also known for her work as a voting rights advocate and is often cited as an instrumental force in the election of Fredericksburg’s first Black mayor.

The bill — which would rename the College Station Post Office to the “Gladys P. Todd Post Office” — is cosponsored by U.S. Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Bobby Scott (D-VA), and Jennifer Wexton (D-VA).

“Throughout her entire life, Mrs. Todd fought to make life better for Black youth in Fredericksburg — and her tireless work and advocacy undoubtedly moved our Commonwealth forward,” Spanberger said in a statement.

“Her contributions to the local civil rights movement and her unwavering commitment to justice make Mrs. Todd an inspiration to us all and naming a post office after her is a small way to honor the incredible woman she was,” Spanberger added. “I look forward to moving our bill through Congress and making sure her story is remembered for generations to come.”