Just in time for the Chinese New Year, the Fort Point Post Office at 25 Dorchester Ave. in Boston has been named after Chinatown activist Caroline Chang. This marks the first Federal building in Massachusetts to be named after a person from the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.
“Caroline made history, even though she never set out to do it. She was just doing the work of advancing civil rights and public health and equity. But she made history. And so now today, and honoring her, we’re making history with the dedication of this post office building,” said Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, as she and a small group, observed the Lunar New Year last week, by celebrating the enactment of the bill she put forward in Congress to rename the library after Chang.
Pressley presented Chang’s family and friend with a framed copy of the bill at the entrance to what is now known as the Caroline Chang Post Office.
The bill was voted on by the House last February and former Pres. Joe Biden signed it into law in November.
Pressley told Sampan it is a tremendous honor to name the building after a community member.
Pressley gave a speech honoring Chang a year ago on the floor of the House of Representatives where she described Chang as “a community builder and trailblazer who was a tireless advocate for the Massachusetts 7th. Caroline remains one of the greatest public servants Boston and our Commonwealth has ever seen.”

Known for her advocacy, Chang worked for more than 30 years for the Department of Health and Human Services as the New England Regional Manager for the Office for Civil Rights. At the time, she was the highest ranking Asian American in federal government.

Born in 1940 in Chinatown, she began serving her neighborhood at an early age by interpreting for people seeking medical care. In 1970, Chang was appointed by the Mayor of Boston, then Kevin White, as the manager of Chinatown’s Little City Hall. She advocated for Chinatown residents through this position. That same year she also received her law degree from Suffolk Law School.

Chang helped found several organizations in Chinatown including the Asian American Civic Association, which is the publisher of the Sampan. She also helped found The Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center, the Asian Community Development Corporation, the South Cove Community Health Center, and the Chinese Historical Society of New England, as well as the Harry H. Dow Memorial Legal Assistance Fund. Chang passed away in 2018.
Chang was the recipient of several awards in recognition for her efforts including, Distinguished Alumni Award from Boston University, the Amelia Earhart Award from the Women’s Educational and Industrial Union in Boston, the Founders Award from the Asian American Lawyers Association of Massachusetts, and the Sojourner Award from the Chinese Historical Society of New England.
A small group gathered on the sunny brisk day for the brief ceremony on Jan. 29.
Suzanne Lee, a community activist and educator, who worked with Chang, spoke about how she worked with her as community activist, fighting for equal access.
Russell Eng, Chang’s nephew, was also present and when details of her life were discussed, said with pride, “we lived it.”
Pressley pointed out that it was not easy to pass such a bill with a divided Congress, “There has been a deficit of parity when it comes to the naming of buildings that represent leaders in the AAPI community. So this is a historic step forward. I hope it will be precedent-setting,” Pressley continued. “It is such a testament to the work and the contributions of Caroline both in advancing civil rights in public health, her historic representation, and high-ranking public service on the federal level.”