Sculpture of famous journalist from Russellville to be displayed at Newseum in Washington D.C.

A Russellville native, who was the very first black female journalist to cover the White House, will be honored with a sculpture in Washington D.C.

A 6-foot tall sculpture of Alice Dunnigan is being designed by Amanda Matthews, an artist from Lexington.

The sculpture is based on a photo of Dunnigan standing on the U.S. Capitol steps in 1947.

From September 21-December 16, that sculpture will be on display at the Newseum in Washington.

The sculpture will then be sent to Russellville, where it will be permanently displayed in the West Kentucky African-American Heritage Center. 

Dunnigan spent 14 years covering the White House for the Associated Negro Press Agency, becoming the first black woman to be a member of the White House press corps. 

Dunnigan died in 1983.