Bronzeville Street Renamed after Trailblazing Doctor Lydia Eudora Ashburne
A Three-Year Effort Comes to Fruition
After a nearly three-year effort, a stretch of a street in the Bronzeville neighborhood on the South Side now bears the name of Lydia Eudora Ashburne, a pioneering Black physician.
A Pioneering Career
Ashburne, whose parents were enslaved, was the first woman to graduate from Howard University’s medical program and the first Black woman to be licensed to practice medicine in Virginia. After practicing in Virginia for four years, she moved in 1916 to Chicago, where she helped establish the first South Side branch of the United Cerebral Palsy clinic.
A Commitment to Community
She also provided care for children whose parents couldn’t afford it during the Great Depression. Ashburne retired in 1977 after a 65-year career and died in Hyde Park in 1992 at the age of 105.
“Dr. Ashburne was a Trailblazer and Fierce Advocate for Health Care Equity”
“Ashburne was a trailblazer and fierce advocate for health care equity,” said Ald. Lamont Robinson (4th) at the unveiling ceremony Saturday morning. “She was resolute in her unwavering commitment to her community.”
The Renaming Process
The effort to rename the street began when Sandra Wallace, a member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, started searching for ways to honor the centennial of the organization in November 2022. She eventually discovered Ashburne’s achievements and researched her background, contacting the city and even former Mayor Lori Lightfoot to make it happen.
Ashburne’s relatives, including Robinson and city treasurer Melissa Conyears Ervin, were among the 120 people who attended the ceremony. Sandra Wallace, the driving force behind the project, beamed with pride: “All I can do is grin,” she said.
Legacies Left Behind
Alma Ashburne Grey, the great-great-niece of Dr. Ashburne, attended the ceremony, applauding tearfully as the sign was unveiled. “I think it will inspire some people,” she said, reflecting on her great-great-aunt’s trailblazing work.
Conclusion
The renaming of the street is a testament to Ashburne’s tireless work in the medical field and her commitment to providing care to those in need. Through this effort, Wallace and others aimed to ensure that future generations would be inspired by Ashburne’s legacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why was the street renamed?
A: To honor the legacy of Dr. Lydia Eudora Ashburne, a pioneering Black physician, and trailblazer in the medical field.
Q: When did the effort to rename the street begin?
A: In November 2022, Sandra Wallace, a member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority, started researching ways to honor the centennial of the organization and discovered Ashburne’s achievements. The effort took nearly three years to come to fruition.
Q: What was Dr. Ashburne’s impact on the community?
A: She provided care to children whose parents couldn’t afford it during the Great Depression and helped establish the first South Side branch of the United Cerebral Palsy clinic, among other notable achievements.
