Plans to name post office after labor activist Helen Chavez

State officials are proposing a bill to name Brawley post office after the late labor activist Helen Fabela Chavez, wife of labor leader Cesar Chavez.

Brawley resident Maria Dominguez said, ” I think it would be a good idea because she was born in Brawley . And she was a leader fighting for immigrants’ rights, and she was a farm worker, too. ”

She said it would help people appreciate the hardships endured by field workers and the work Helen Chavez did.

“Maybe read a story of what her life was and what experience she had,” Dominguez said.

The new post office’s name might also encourage some people to learn more about where they came from.

” Every summer that was our vacation going up north to Bakersfield. We worked tapeando cebolla [ haversting onion], escardando [using a field hand hoe], we worked in the tomatoes. It was very difficult. It was hard, ” Dominguez said.

City Council Member Sam Couchman is concerned how the overall community would react to it.

“I think it would create some controversy and division among the community,” Couchman said.

He said it’s best to leave the post office’s name as is.

“If it’s a new road or a new facility, I believe that then those are open pretty for naming,” Couchman said.

If approved, the post office would be named “Helen Fabela Chavez Memorial Post Office Building.”

“Hopefully it doesn’t create a division,” Dominguez said.