Mary McLeod Bethune

Mary McLeod Bethune
Born	(1875-07-10)July 10, 1875 Mayesville, South Carolina, U.S.
Died	May 18, 1955(1955-05-18) (aged 79) Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.
Occupation	Educator, activist
Known for	Founder of Bethune-Cookman University

Mary McLeod Bethune (July 10, 1875 – May 18, 1955) was a prominent African-American educator, activist, and advisor to four U.S. presidents. She is best known for founding Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Early life and education

Born in Mayesville, South Carolina, Mary McLeod was the fifteenth of seventeen children born to former slaves. She attended Scotia Seminary (now Barber-Scotia College) and later Moody Bible Institute with the intention of becoming a missionary in Africa. However, she was told that African Americans were not being sent to Africa as missionaries. This rejection steered her towards education as her life's work.

Career

In 1904, Bethune founded the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls in Daytona Beach, which eventually became Bethune-Cookman University. Her educational philosophy emphasized the importance of self-reliance and the development of leadership skills in her students. Bethune also served as the president of the National Association of Colored Women and founded the National Council of Negro Women.

Bethune became a national leader in the struggle for racial and gender equality. She played a significant role in the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration as an advisor. As part of the "Black Cabinet," she advised the president on issues facing African Americans and helped push forward policies that aimed to improve economic opportunities and civil rights for minority groups.

Legacy and honors

Bethune's legacy is marked by her profound impact on education and civil rights. Her home in Daytona Beach is a National Historic Landmark, and she has been honored with a statue in Washington, D.C.. In 1973, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.

Death and commemoration

Mary McLeod Bethune died on May 18, 1955, in Daytona Beach, Florida. Her life and work continue to be celebrated through various educational and cultural institutions across the United States.

See also

• Civil rights movement
• Education in the United States
• History of African Americans in the United States

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