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

Bessie Coleman

1892-1926

— Bronzeville Walk of Fame —

Bessie Coleman Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

1. Bessie Coleman Marker

Inscription.
1st Black aviatrix
Received international pilot's license, 1921

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 1921.

Location. 41° 50.835′ N, 87° 37.032′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in Douglas (Bronzeville). It is on South Martin Luther King Drive near Stevenson Expressway (Interstate 55), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2525 South Martin Luther King Drive, Chicago IL 60616, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is 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

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are within walking distance of this marker: Monument to the Great Northern Migration (within shouting distance of this marker); Marjorie Stewart Joyner (within shouting distance of this marker); McCormick Place (within shouting distance of this marker); St. Claire Drake / Horace R. Clayton (within shouting distance of this marker); Carter G. Woodson (within shouting distance of this marker); Nat “King” Cole (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Dr. Daniel Hale-Williams (about 300 feet away); John H. Johnson (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. Roughly 100 Bronzeville Walk of Fame markers are found around the neighborhood along Martin Luther King Drive between 25th and 35th Streets.

Regarding Bessie Coleman. After learning about the exploits of female pilots in World War I, Bessie Coleman sought to get her own pilot's license, but American schools would not take Black women as students. So, with the support of Black leaders in Chicago, she enrolled in flight school in France and received her license. In 1926, she was the passenger on a plane that spun

Bessie Coleman Marker near McCormick Place image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

2. Bessie Coleman Marker near McCormick Place

out of control; Coleman was thrown from the plane and died, and the pilot died when it crashed.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Bessie Coleman is honored with a Chicago Tribute historical marker 2 miles south of here, at King Drive and 41st Street.

Also see . . . Bessie Coleman biography. From the National Women's History Museum. (Submitted on August 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Bessie Coleman Marker on King Drive near McDonald's image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean P. Flynn, August 14, 2026

3. Bessie Coleman Marker on King Drive near McDonald's

Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1. submitted on August 17, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. 2, 3. submitted on August 18, 2026, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.