Dr. Bethune's statues are to be unveiled this summer.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News 

The City of Daytona Beach has announced a series of special activities planned to honor Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune for the unveiling of her statues starting in July.

On Wednesday, July 13, the marble statue honoring the icon will be unveiled and dedicated in National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. Those unable to attend the unveiling can watch the unveiling via live stream at www.speaker.gov/live.

A revealing of the near-identical bronze sculpture of Dr. Bethune will be held on Thursday, August 18, at 9 a.m. in Bethune Plaza, located at the intersection of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard and Beach Street in Daytona Beach.

Following the unveiling of the near-identical sculpture, at 6 p.m. on Thursday, August 18, there will be a premiere showing of a feature-length documentary about Bethune in the News-Journal Center’s auditorium at 221 N. Beach Street in downtown Daytona Beach.

Reservations are needed to watch the inaugural viewing of the film, which highlights the journey of the statues created by sculptor Nilda Comas.

For more information, visit www.MMBStatue.org.