Huffman Introduces Bill to Rename Woodacre Post Office to Honor Postmaster Marylu Giddings

August 07, 2020

San Rafael, CA – Today, Representative Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) introduced legislation to rename the post office in Woodacre, California, in honor of Marylu Giddings, who served as Postmaster in Woodacre for 25 years. 

“Marylu Giddings is an indisputable representation of the oath of the United States Postal Service. She spent over two decades helping the Woodacre post office thrive, going to enormous lengths to ensure the delivery of mail no matter what,” said Rep. Huffman. “At a time when the Postal Service is under severe threat, I can think of no better way to honor her work and remind members of the community what the post office stands for, and the importance of this institution for each of us.”

Marylu Giddings was appointed as Postmaster in 1962 by President Lyndon Johnson, and is believed to be the last postmaster in the nation to have been directly appointed by a President. Giddings’ dedication to the community extended into her work with the Woodacre Improvement Club board, on which she served for 40 years. In this role, she worked to provide public access to facilities such as a ball field, a new toddler playground, a volleyball court, and a once-a-week community swim day at the Club’s pool, and was involved in large events planning such as July 4th celebrations. Giddings also advocated for conservation efforts, and she worked to protect salmanoid habitats on Club property by supporting a large fish passage project and public access easement. Marylu Giddings retired from the Postal Service in 1989 and passed away in 2012.

This proposal has received overwhelming local support, including from 140 community members, from Marylu’s son, Andy Giddings, from current Woodacre Postmaster Bill Gossy, and from Marin Supervisor Dennis Rodoni.

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