Shaun Wethington feels true legends never die.
The Village of Mallory resident feels a legend can live as long as stories of their work are shared. She also feels Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune is a Florida legend who should be immortalized — and she has been.
Bethune — an educator, activist and founder of Bethune-Cookman University (BCU) in Daytona Beach and the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) — will be honored on her 150th birthday with festivals and historic tours across the nation.
“She went places that no other Black man or woman could imagine being at that time,” said Wethington, who graduated from Bethune Cookman College in 1982, and chartered the local chapter of the NCNW in the tri-county area last June. “She opened doors for us and we all have high respect for her as a legend for the work she’s done for all people.”
A close friend of first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Bethune was appointed as the director of the National Youth Administration’s Division of Negro Affairs by President Teddy Roosevelt in 1936 and awarded a citation for outstanding citizenship from President Harry Truman in 1949.
The City of Daytona, where Bethune lived before her death, will honor Bethune with a public wreath-laying celebration 6:30 p.m. today at her life-sized bronze statue on the BCU Campus at the intersection of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd. and North Beach St.
Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry said the event will be “more than just a birthday tribute.”
“It’s an opportunity for us to reflect on the extraordinary life and legacy of Dr. Bethune,” Henry said. “Her vision for education, equality and empowerment has left an indelible mark not only on our city but on the entire nation.”
During the event there will be reflections from Henry, BCU President Dr. Albert Mosley, Zone 3 City Commissioner Quanita May and community philanthropist Nancy Lohman.
If there is rain, the event will move to the Daytona Beach City Hall Commission Chambers, 301 S. Ridgewood Ave., Daytona Beach.
The BCU campus is home to a treasure trove of Bethune’s belongings and memorabilia, including her actual home and final resting place.
Bethune’s Daytona Beach home is typically open for free tours, but restorations are keeping the historic landmark closed. A virtual tour of the home, which includes many of the original furniture, artifacts and the guest room first lady Roosevelt stayed in, can be viewed on YouTube by searching “HouseFinal SV 2020 077 BethuneHouse.”
Bethune’s academic papers and collections are available to view on the second floor of the Carl S. Swisher Library, 640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd., Daytona Beach.
People can pay respects to Bethune 70 years after her passing in 1955 by visiting her gravesite and memorial located on the west side of the BCU campus.
Bethune founded NCNW in 1935 as a nonprofit organization to lead and empower people through education, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, health care access and social justice.
“It’s not just for Black women, it’s for all,” Wethington said. “It’s about education, economic empowerment and social justice. Make sure everyone has a fair shot in life. That’s exactly what Bethune was about.”
In honor of Bethune’s birthday the National Park Service will host a festival and historic tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today where the NCNW started, Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site, 1318 Vermont Ave. NW, Washington, D.C.
More history will be shared from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Saturday with a 150th Celebration at Lincoln Park in front of the Bethune Memorial, East Capitol and 13th SE streets. There will be exhibitions, guided tours, performances, children programs and live R&B music from The Tribe Band during the event that will highlight Bethune’s nationwide impact.
For more information about Lake, Sumter and Marion Counties Section of the National Council of Negro Women Inc. or to learn how to donate to the nonprofit, visit tricountyncnw.org.
Staff writer Brea Jones can be reached at 352-753-1119, ext. 5414, or brea.jones@thevillagesmedia.com.
