TAVARES — Lake County officials on Tuesday unveiled a statue of American educator and civil rights activist Mary McLeod Bethune, who was best known for her advocacy in the Groveland Four case and her focus on education in establishing Bethune-Cookman University.

On July 13, a statue of Bethune was placed in the National Statuary Hall Collection at the U.S. Capitol. Now, Lake County has one of only three in the world. 

“I’m inspired by the vision of the Lake County Historical Society in bringing this statue to our county,” Lake County Commissioner Sean Parks said. “Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune is a true patriot and an American hero. She was one of Florida’s greatest citizens and a hero to Lake County as well.” 

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The statue was sculpted by Nilda Comas of Italy, the same sculptor who made the one that resides in Washington D.C. The marble used in this statue was from the same marble as the one in Washington D.C., and comes from the same cave quarry used for Michelangelo’s David statue.

A small group of individuals from the Lake County Historical Society were able to travel to Italy, at their own expense, to meet with Comas at her studio and visit the quarry. 

“We’ve been able to mirror the project for Statuary Hall,” Ray Powers said. “It was really, really special, and we were also able to attend the first unveiling in Washington D.C. This is a big accomplishment for our county. It’s important for people to learn how she contributed to furthering education and further the idea for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for everyone.” 

Comas attended the unveiling and spoke about her journey in crafting the statue, which is near to her heart.

“This project started seven years ago and it had many delays,” Comas said. “But we had a wonderful blessing for the statue in Italy before it came over here. Then it was stuck on the ocean coming over here for longer than we had liked. But so many people have been touched by this sculpture. Her name is going to be known all over.” 

The statue features Bethune in a cap and gown in honor of her love and dedication to education. She is holding a black rose and a cane sculpted after President Roosevelt’s cane, showing their friendship. 

“President Roosevelt was her counselor and they were very close,” Comas said. “They took her to a rose garden one time and they handed her a black rose. She had never seen one, but it inspired her as she looked around to see the beauty of all the different colored roses together.”

Bethune called that garden the International Garden of People and Races.

The Lake County Historical Museum, 317 W. Main St.,. Tavares, is currently finishing the Bethune exhibit. It should be ready for viewing in a few weeks.