PIETRASANTA, Italy — After months of anticipation, local leaders made the trip to Pietrasanta, Italy, to unveil a statue of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry was among those that made the trip.

“I was overwhelmed with the beauty, the detail of the sculpture, just how it represented her life from the black rose to the last will and testament, to the way she looked, her cane. So it was quite overwhelming,” said Henry. 

The statue will represent the state of Florida in National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C., replacing a Confederate general to become the first African American to represent any state in the collection. Henry said he believes it is an incredible honor for Daytona Beach.

“Our city cultivated, produced, supported one of America’s greatest citizens from civil rights, to education, to human rights, she is an icon and it casts a bigger light on us and lets the world know that we are and have been a place of greatness," said Henry. 

While in Italy, Henry said his group met the sculptor and visited the quarry where the marble used for the statue came from — the same marble quarry that Michelangelo used for his statue of David. While this statue is destined for D.C.,  a second bronzed one was made just for Daytona Beach and will proudly stand in Riverfront park on Beach street once the park is completed. 

"She is sort of our rudder, when we get lost as a city, we will be able to go to this spot and get our bearings back together and recalibrate and go forward with the mission of making Daytona Beach a better place," said Henry. 

Bethune’s statue is set to make its debut in the Capitol on February 22.

“It is significant in that it is part of  American History Month and we think it is a befitting time to introduce her to the rest of the nation inn that way,” said Henry. 

It is an honor Henry believes is befitting of the legendary life Bethune led.

“When you talk about taking $1.50 and starting a world renowned school and being an adviser to four presidents, helping Jackie Robinson to integrate baseball, founding major civil rights organizations that are still thriving, and driving our nation forward have frankly put her at the pantheon of American History … everything that is great about American is tied into the story of Mary McLeod Bethune,” said Henry. 

The bronze statue of Bethune that will reside in Daytona Beach does not have an official unveiling date yet. Henry said it will happen after her official statue is in statuary hall, as they do not want anything to detract from that important day. ​