Chicago District dedicates Roseland Station building for Olympic star, youth advocate Willye B. White

CHICAGO, IL — The building that houses the Chicago Post Office’s Roseland Station is now named in honor of one of Chicago’s Olympic legends.

District Manager/Postmaster Gloria Tyson officially dedicated the newly christened Willye B. White Building, 11033 S. State Street, in a ceremony this afternoon. In August, President Bush signed legislation authorizing the renaming of the building to recognize White (1939-2007), an Olympics track star and advocate of youth athletics and self-development programs.

“Her accomplishments on the field and track were phenomenal,” Tyson said, “but so was her commitment to our young people. Renaming this building in honor of Willye B. White is the best way we can express our gratitude for her many years of dedication to sports, the Olympics, and her community.”

Tyson was joined at the ceremony by Rep. Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D-2); Sarah Armantrout, president of the Willye B. White Foundation; Cynthia Williams, a cousin of White; six former Olympians; two of White’s high school coaches; several former athletes who ran with or were coached by White; and Chicago District postal officials.

White was born in Money, Mississippi, and discovered her talent for track at age 10. As a 16-year-old, she won a silver medal in the long jump at the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia. She won another silver medal in the 4x100-meter relay at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, and became the first American to compete on five Olympic track and field teams. She remained active in amateur sports throughout her lifetime. She is a member of 11 sports halls of fame, and was widely recognized as one of the greatest female athletes of the 20th century.

White moved to Chicago in 1960, and became a public health administrator for the Chicago Health Department in 1965. She founded the Willye B. White Foundation in 1991, helping children to develop self-esteem and become productive citizens through athletics and other programs.

The building will continue to house postal operations for the 60628 ZIP code. A plaque commemorating the dedication will be on permanent display in the station’s customer lobby.

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