Congressman Deluzio’s Bill to Rename Sewickley Post Office After Local Historian & Author Unanimously Passes U.S. House of Reps

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Tonight, Congressman Chris Deluzio’s (PA-17) bipartisan legislation to rename the post office in Sewickley, PA at 521 Thorn Street after Mary Elizabeth "Bettie" Cole passed the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously by a voice vote. It is a significant step forward in commemorating the beloved Western Pennsylvania community leader, local historian, and author. 

In 2000, Mrs. Cole published Their Story: The History of Blacks/African Americans in Sewickley & Edgeworth. This book documented a significant and often-overlooked part of the Sewickley Valley community, and was the culmination of 20 years of research, including more than 100 interviews with community members.  

“Post offices are more than just a place to send mail and packages—they are public institutions that should reflect the community’s proud past,” said Congressman Deluzio. “Sewickley has a rich history, and community pillars like Mrs. Bettie Cole have been important to telling that shared story. Her community service should be honored. That’s why I’m proud to lead the effort to memorialize Bettie’s contributions by renaming Sewickley’s post office after her, and I thank my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives for recognizing the importance of this acknowledgement.”   

Mrs. Mary Elizabeth "Bettie" Cole was born in Edgeworth, PA, on April 5, 1923. She moved to Sewickley in 1939, where she spent the rest of her life. She was a 1940 graduate of Sewickley High School. Shortly after graduation, she married and had two daughters who she raised and nurtured. 

In 1988, she retired from Point Park College (now Point Park University) as the associate director of office services and director of the mailing department. While employed at Point Park, Mrs. Cole earned her Associate of Arts degree in Journalism and Communications, and was inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda (National Honor Society for part-time students) as one of the 13 charter members of Point Park’s Gamma Epsilon Chapter. She boasted that at the time, she was possibly (and proudly) the chapter’s eldest member and only grandmother. Mrs. Cole passed away in 2016 at the age of 92, leaving behind a family and community proud of her contributions. 

The legislation now moves to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Congressman Deluzio will encourage his colleagues on the other side of the Capitol to pass this legislation and send it to the President’s desk for signature into law as soon as possible.  

A video of Congressman Deluzio’s floor speech is available here and a photo of the Sewickley Post Office is available here.   

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