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Journey to S
First Steps
In March of 2016, Gov. Rick Scott signed a law to replace the statue of Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith, which had been donated to the U. S. Capitol for display in Statuary Hall in 1922, with a new“ Great Floridian.”
The search for a new sculpture was conducted by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, which reviewed 3,585 submissions. The list was narrowed to 130 eligible names, including Mary Mcleod Bethune.
Dr. Bethune received 1,237 votes, easily outpacing the second-place subject who received 450 votes.
The selection of Dr. Bethune continues her legacy of accomplishment and she will be the first African-American to represent a state in Statuary Hall, the first African American woman to represent a state and the first and only statue in the U. S. Capitol dressed in academia cap and gown.
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Statuary Hall
Occupying the space originally used as the chamber for the House of Representatives, the National Statuary Hall was created after Congress invited each of the states to contribute two statues of prominent citizens for permanent display. Initially all of the contributed statues were housed in the space, as the collection grew more space was needed. In 1933 Congress authorized the display of the statues throughout the Capitol.
Today, National Statuary Hall is one of the most popular rooms in the U. S. Capitol Building, with thousands of visitors passing through every day. It also continues to be used for ceremonial occasions and special events are held there, including activities honoring foreign dignitaries and presidential luncheons.
Fundraising Effort
The Dr. Mary Mcleod Bethune Statuary Fund, Inc. was formed in 2018 to raise private funds for the project. The Board of Directors of the Fund include Nancy Lohman, president; Bob Lloyd, secretary; Mary Greenlees, treasurer; Jennifer Adams, Jim Cameron, Michelle Carter, Brent Chrite, Joyce Cusak, Kathy Crotty, Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry, Sherri Lloyd, Nellie Lupoli, Volusia County Councilwoman Billie Wheeler, ex-officio members Nilda Comes and Ashley Stoekel and recording secretary Danielle Garrett.
In addition to raising funds for the U. S. Capitol statue, the Board expanded the fundraising effort to include an additional $ 150,000 for placement of a bronze statue of Mary Mcleod Bethune in Riverfront Esplanade Park in downtown Daytona Beach.
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