Douglas in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Dr. Mae Jemison

1957–

— Bronzeville Walk of Fame —

Dr. Mae Jemison Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 13, 2026

1. Dr. Mae Jemison Marker

Inscription. 1st Black Woman Astronaut

Erected 1996 by City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Air & Space • Women. In addition, it is included in the Bronzeville Walk of Fame series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1957.

Location. 41° 50.311′ N, 87° 37.056′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Douglas. It is at the intersection of East 31st Street and South Martin Luther King, on the right when traveling west on East 31st Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Chicago’s South Side and in Chicago’s Bronzeville.

It is also in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking

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distance of this marker: John “Jack” Johnson (a few steps from this marker); Corneal Davis (within shouting distance of this marker); Margaret Goss Burroughs (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Joesph H. Jackson (within shouting distance of this marker); Willa Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); Ferdinand "Jelly Roll" Morton (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ralph H. Metcalfe (about 300 feet away); Joseph J. Jordan (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. Mae Jemison is the last living person to be honored with one of the 91 plaques on the Bronzeville Walk of Fame.

Regarding Dr. Mae Jemison. Mae Jemison was born in Alabama (in 1956, according to most sources, not 1957 as stated on this plaque) and moved with her family to Chicago as a young child. She grew up in Woodlawn, about three miles south of here, and then moved to the far-south-side Morgan Park neighborhood, where she attended Morgan Park High School.

The first Black male astronaut is also from Chicago, and also honored on the Bronzeville Walk of Fame. Robert H. Lawrence

Dr. Mae Jemison Marker at 31st and MLK Drive image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, May 13, 2026

2. Dr. Mae Jemison Marker at 31st and MLK Drive

has a plaque at 35th Street and MLK Drive.

Also see . . . Dr. Mae Jemison: A Dancer Among the Stars. A profile of Dr. Jemison from the Chicago History Museum.

Excerpt: “In 1992, when Dr. Mae Jemison became the first Black woman to travel into space, she fulfilled one childhood dream while highlighting another interest—dance. Both of these lifelong passions began while growing up in Chicago.”

(Submitted on May 13, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Mae Jemison aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992 image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of NASA, September 1992

3. Mae Jemison aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in 1992

Mae Jemison served as a mission specialist aboard the Endeavor in September 1992, becoming the first African American woman to go to space. The crew conducted microgravity experiments.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 13, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 30 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 13, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 3. submitted on May 14, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.