Mayesville to honor Mary McLeod-Bethune this weekend

“She was born on a Saturday, July 10, 1875, the 15th of 17 children to former slaves, in a one room wooden house in Mayesville, South Carolina. But these conditions would only serve to temper Mary McLeod…” From July 10-12, the City of Mayesville, in Sumter County, will have a weekend of celebration to commemorate what would have been Dr. McLeod-Bethune’s 134th birthday.

Scheduled events include a black-tie awards dinner and in the gala, Florence Civic Center, Florence, beginning 8 p.m. Marian Robinson, mother of First Lady, Michelle Obama, will receive the first annual Dr. Mary McLeod-Bethune Award for Excellence in Female Role Model Leadership. Mayesville, a town-wide block party will take over the streets of Mayesville, from 8 – 11 p.m.   

On Saturday, “A Family Day of Celebration” will begin at 9 a.m. with a parade down Main St. There will be African bands, Hip-Hop, marching bands, and performers, socks-hops, apple bobbing, readings and other recitations, all in salute and celebration to the resilience of family.

On July 12, after church, the streets of Mayesville will come alive once again to the melodies of jazz and inspirational music being performed in the street. For information contact Daisy Crawford, (843) 275-1185, or e-mail her .