Aretha Franklin may have passed away over three years ago on Aug 16, 2018, but she continues to receive her flowers in 2021. Two biopics on The Queen of Soul’s life were released earlier this year. Both kept her music and name buzzing and now a U.S. Post Office in Detroit is renaming one of its buildings after the “A Natural Woman” hitmaker.
Franklin was posthumously honored Monday, Oct. 5, as a post office in the city of Detroit has been renamed the “Aretha Franklin Post Office Building,” according to The Associated Press.
The honor was given to Franklin as a result of efforts made in Washington by Democratic Michigan Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, who was a friend of Franklin’s and worked for years as a postal worker. Lawrence introduced a bill last year requesting the name change, which passed through Congress and was signed by former President Trump in January.
“Her legacy lives on in her music, in her family. But we have added to that list of her legacy: A post office with her name on it,” Lawrence told The AP.
Members of Franklin’s family were among those who attended the ceremony. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters was in attendance and said honoring Franklin was a unanimous decision.
“Sometimes people wonder if Congress can come together. Congress can come together when it comes to standing up and recognizing this amazing person,” Peters told reporters.
The post office named after Franklin is located about five miles east from downtown Detroit and is located near an amphitheater, which is also named in honor of the singer.
National Geographic released a miniseries titled “Genius: Aretha” starring Cynthia Erivo in March, while Jennifer Hudson played the Detroit hitmaker in the box office hit Respect, which debuted in August.
