Mary McLeod Bethune: A Well-Acknowledged Woman, by Dominique M. Carson

“Mary McLeod Bethune was born the daughter of slaves. She died a retired college president.” - Tim Waters

Mary Jane McLeod Bethune was a pioneer for all people, especially African American women. Ms. Bethune was a humanitarian, civil rights activist, educator, and presidential advisor. Bethune’s legacy lives on forever. She was an African American woman that left a remarkable footprint in Florida. However, Bethune endured quite a few hardships that will drive most people to a downward spiral. Bethune was born in 1875 in South Carolina, twelve years after the Emancipation Proclamation was passed.  Slavery was abolished and former slaves moved South.  Bethune parents were former slaves during the 20th century but could not read or write. They were also an impoverished family and Bethune was one of 17 children. Since her family was so massive, everyone was forced to work to provide for the family. Some family members picked cotton or labored in the fields. Her upbringing was a challenge, but Bethune was determined to obtain an education. Bethune’s parents did not let their circumstances interfere with Mary’s education. She was reading by the age of four and brought books with her while her mother delivered laundry to white people. She learned important values from them and became the only member in her family to attend school. Soon, the family discovered a missionary school that Mary can attended near the house. However, Mary had to walk five miles everyday to and from school. It was quite grueling for Mary, but she needed to be a pivotal example for her family. When the school day ended, Mary tutored her siblings and explained to them what she learned daily.

Mary’s diligence paid off in the end! After high school, she was accepted to the Scotia Seminary, now known as Barber- Scotia College in North Carolina. She also furthered her education, attended Dwight Moody’s Institute for Home and Foreign Missions in Illinois.  Mary acquired a substantial amount of degrees and was eager to start her career as an educator. She believed an education would lead to bigger and better opportunities for colored people. For 10 years, she was an educator in Dayton, Florida and founded the Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute for Negro Girls in 1904. At first, it was a humble beginning for Mary; she started off with five students at her school. But, with hard work, dedication, and spreading the mission for the school, the enrollment increased to more than 250 students within the next few years.

With her educational background, Mary transitioned to school’s president and collaborated with Cookman Institute for Men in Jacksonville, Florida in 1923. Two years later, it was a co-ed school and it was changed to Daytona-Cookman Collegiate Institution. Nonetheless, the school’s name was changed once again to Bethune-Cookman college to represent Bethune’s leadership and direction. The school was a great way for African American students to obtain a college degree.

Along with education, Bethune was an innovative activist who became a contributing factor for society. She was the president of the Florida chapter of the National Association of Colored Women, the director of the Division of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration, co-founded the United Negro College Fund, and founded the National Council of Negro Women. She also indulged in politics, befriending First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt and became a political advisor on minority affairs and issues. Mary devoted her life to social change and equality for blacks. Hence, Mary’s interaction and friendship with the President and First Lady led to several projects. She became the chair of the National Youth Administration, a federal agency. It was important for Mary to partake in committees and different positions that channel critical issues for African Americans. As a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, she participated in the 1945 United Nations conference with activist, W.E.B Dubois. Ultimately, she achieved her life-long dream as a missionary. President Truman asked Mary to be apart of national defense committee and to be an ambassador to the presidential inauguration in Liberia.

Before Bethune passed on in 1955, she wrote her popular spiritual bequests, “My Last Will and Testament.” Her exact words were, “I leave you a thirst for education. Knowledge is the prime need of the hour. If I have a legacy to leave my people. It is my philosophy of living and serving.” Her final words exemplified Bethune’s courageous deportment and her mission to impact the lives of many people. She knew education and knowledge is an ongoing thirst that should be taken into consideration, day by day. Over 60 years later, emerging, and veteran leaders continue to embrace Bethune’s contributions to the world which labels her as a paramount figure in history. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, schools have been named after her, and has her own stamp with the United States Postal Service. Mary Jane Mcleod Bethune’s story reminds people that with faith in God, faith in yourself, and taking charge of your destiny, you too can achieve your life-long dreams.