U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) has nominated the great educator and visionary, Mary McLeod Bethune, to replace Confederate Gen. Kirby Smith, which currently represents Florida in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall.

“Mary McLeod Bethune’s uncompromising commitment to serving Florida and her country, through education, civil rights, our military, public service and beyond, is an extraordinary legacy that must be captured and shared with future generations,” U.S. Rep. Castor wrote in an extensive recommendation letter to State of Florida’s Division of Historical Resources, which is taking in these recommendations through the Great Floridians Program Ad Hoc Committee. “There are many deserving and outstanding Floridians to choose from. I encourage you to consider the great diversity of the Sunshine State and reflect a more inclusive legacy. Of the 100 statues in the National Statuary Hall collection, there are only nine female statues on display!”

June 10 is the deadline for Florida neighbors to submit their individual recommendations for a replacement statue.

Each of the 50 states is allowed to display two statues in the U.S. Capitol. Last year, U.S. Rep. Castor was joined by voices across Florida calling to replace the statue of Confederate Gen. Smith, an obscure confederate war general who didn’t live in Florida beyond his childhood but has stood in Statuary Hall as a representation of Florida.

The Florida Legislature heard this call to celebrate the life and legacy of a great Floridian and earlier this year passed a law to replace Confederate Gen. Smith’s statue. U.S. Rep. Castor is encouraging all across the state to share their ideas of a statue that better reflects the accuracy of our nation’s history and diversity.

Recommendations may be submitted via:  Submit your recommendation here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NationalStatuaryHall

###