News Release

Celebrate “Mrs. Bethune’s Washington” on the road with the National Park Service

When it was unveiled in 1974, the Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial in Lincoln Park was the first statue of a woman, and the first statue of an African American, on public park land in Washington, D.C.

NPS Photo

News Release Date: June 19, 2019

Contact: Katie Liming, 202-619-7156

The National Park Service (NPS) is taking its annual celebration of Mary McLeod Bethune on the road for a second year! As an influential figure in the civil rights movement and an internationally renowned educator and political leader, Mary McLeod Bethune frequented important sites across Washington, D.C., including President's Park, the Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site and Lincoln Park. The National Park Service invites you on a bus tour to explore these historic places and celebrate the life and legacy of Mary McLeod Bethune.

On this tour, park rangers will share Bethune’s story as we visit the sites she would have frequented during her time in Washington. The tour will also include the opportunity to participate in a wreath laying at the newly restored statue of Bethune in Lincoln Park.

What: Bus tour celebrating the 144th Anniversary of the Birth of Mary McLeod Bethune and her contributions to the civil rights movement. The buses are air-conditioned and include restrooms.

When: Saturday, July 6, 2019, 10:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Where: Tour will start at the National Council of Negro Women Headquarters, at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue NW and 7th Street NW, Washington, D.C.

Reserve a seat: This event is free and available to the public. Seating is limited to the first 100 registrants. Please contact Erica Martin at 202-426-5961 or e-mail us to reserve a seat.

The NPS will also host a book talk with author Rebecca Tuuri to discuss her recent book Strategic Sisterhood: The National Council of Negro Women in the Black Freedom Struggle. Her book highlights the National Council of Negro Women's (NCNW) behind-the-scenes efforts to fight racism, poverty and sexism in the late 20th century. The NCNW was founded by Mary McLeod Bethune in 1935. The event will be held at the Mary McLeod Bethune National Historic Site on Friday, July 5 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. Books will be available for purchase.

Can’t make the bus tour or book talk? Tours of the recently refurbished Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site are offered on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays every week.