Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial

Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial is a bronze statue in Lincoln Park depicting an educator holding a cane while transferring documents to two children beside her. The sculpture stands at East Capitol Street and 12th Street Northeast, surrounded by bronze plaques bearing significant inscriptions.

Dedicated in 1974, this memorial became the first public statue in Washington, D.C. honoring both an African American and a woman simultaneously. The National Council of Negro Women fundraised for the sculpture to celebrate their founder's legacy in education and civil rights.

The inscriptions on the bronze plaques surrounding the memorial preserve Bethune's own words about education and equal rights for all people. Walking around the site, visitors encounter these messages directly and see how the sculpture honors a leader who shaped her community.

The memorial sits in Lincoln Park and is easily accessible via East Capitol Street and 12th Street Northeast. Being an outdoor monument, visitors can see it any time of day without worrying about specific opening hours.

The statue holds a walking cane that was a gift from President Franklin D. Roosevelt, symbolizing her close work within his administration. This detail reveals how Bethune moved through political circles as an advisor and trusted voice.

Location: Washington, D.C.

Inception: 1973

Creator: Robert Berks

GPS coordinates: 38.88972,-76.98889

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:53