Author Ersula Knox-Odom portrays Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune in a fascinating free program on Tuesday, March 31st at 2 p.m. at the Leesburg Public Library. Brought to you by the Florida Humanities Council and the Friends of the Leesburg Library. Dr. Bethune comes to life and shares fascinating stories of her extraordinary contribution to democracy. She will then answer questions. After Dr. Bethune “leaves”, Odom will answer questions regarding her research.

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune (1875-1955) was the founder of Bethune-Cookman University. She served as a New Deal government official — in one of the 20 highest-level offices held by women in the administration, and the highest held by an African American woman; was founder of FDR’s “black cabinet”; served as president of the National Association of Colored Women; founded and served as president of the National Council of Negro Women.

Ersula Knox-Odom is an author, legacy writer/reporter with approximately 100 articles to her credit, workshop leader, Florida Humanities Council Viva La Florida performer as Mary McLeod Bethune, motivational speaker and prize winning life lyricist. Ersula has the uncommon ability to successfully address multi-generational and multi-cultural audiences by sharing life experiences from rural life, college life, corporate management, motherhood, entrepreneurship, sales, self-publishing and genealogy. Her signature seminar being “Unlocking Your Wisdom”. She is a member of African American Historical & Genealogical Society and Zeta Phi Beta. She is a graduate of Eckerd College and lives in the Tampa Bay Area.

Come by the Leesburg Public Library or call for more information; the Library is located at 100 E. Main Street, Leesburg, FL 34748. Call (352)728-9790 or email librarian@Leesburgflorida.gov.