Womens History Month 2023: Mary McLeod Bethune

Mary McLeod Bethune: A Pioneer for African American Women's Education

Mary McLeod Bethune was an educator, civil rights activist, and government advisor who dedicated her life to advancing the rights of African Americans, particularly women. She was the founder of the National Council of Negro Women and played a key role in President Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Black Cabinet."

Born in 1875 in South Carolina, Mary was the fifteenth of seventeen children born to former slaves. Despite her family's poverty and limited access to education, Mary was determined to learn and became a teacher at the age of 15.

In 1904, she founded a school for African American girls in Daytona Beach, Florida, which later merged with a boys' school to become Bethune-Cookman University. Mary believed that education was the key to achieving racial and gender equality, and she worked tirelessly to provide opportunities for African American women to receive a quality education.

Mary was also a prominent civil rights activist and worked with organizations such as the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to fight against discrimination and segregation. She was a vocal advocate for women's suffrage and served as the president of the National Association of Colored Women's Clubs.

In 1935, President Roosevelt appointed Mary as the director of the Division of Negro Affairs in the National Youth Administration, making her the first African American woman to hold a high-ranking government position. She used her position to advocate for the rights of African American youth and worked to provide them with educational and job opportunities.

Mary McLeod Bethune's legacy as a pioneer for African American women's education and civil rights continues to inspire generations. Her tireless efforts to promote equality and justice have made a lasting impact on American history.