Scope FLORIDA
Mary McLeod Bethune’s Statue to Replace Confederate Memorial Mary McLeod Bethune’s statue will replace that of Confederate Gen. Edwin Kirby Smith in National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. Bethune will be the first African-American woman to represent any state in the national hall. The Florida Senate voted 37-0 and the Florida House voted 111-1 for her likeness to take the Florida spot, joining the father of air conditioning, John Gorrie. Gov. Rick Scott signed the measure into law and, as is stated in the bill, the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs will acquire and display Smith’s statue. The Florida Legislature voted to replace Smith in 2016 after nationwide outrage over the killing of nine African-Americans in a historic Charleston, S.C., church sparked discussion against Confederate symbols. Rep. Patrick Henry, D-Daytona Beach, sponsored the bill, but not all his colleagues were in favor. The lone opposer was Jay Fant, R-Jacksonville, who has filed legislation to block the removal of Confederate memorials, and who also is a candidate for attorney general. Widely known as the “First Lady of the Struggle,” Bethune is the founder of Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona, Fla. She promoted the school nationally to prove the significant accomplishments African-Americans could make. Her efforts as an activist landed her in Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Black Cabinet,” and she went on to advise five U.S. presidents. Bethune was the only African-American woman present at the founding of the United Nations in 1945.
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B-CU Kicks Off Nationwide Campaign to Raise Statue Funds The Bethune-Cookman University Board of Trustees and Interim President Hubert Grimes launched a nationwide ask to complete the Mary McLeod Bethune National Statuary Hall Campaign. The cost to complete is $400,000. Honorary fundraising chairpersons are Bethune-Cookman University Board of Trustees Nancy Lohman and Dr. Lucille O’Neal. Organizers encourage both alumni and students to participate in this historic project. Also, the community will be vital to this campaign and contribution of any amount will be acknowledged. For more information regarding the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune National Statuary Hall Campaign, contact Bethune-Cookman University’s Office of Legacy and Women’s Initiative at 386-481-2374.
In 2002, Rich Black, an alumnus of BethuneCookman University and publisher of ONYX Magazine, served as the brain child and visionary behind the building of the first monument in Florida to recognize Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. The statue and monument was unveiled during the University’s centennial celebration in 2004. ONYX Magazine served as the media partner under the leadership of Co-Founders Lester and Lillian Seays.