WOMEN IN HISTORY - MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE
African-American educator, founder of Bethune-Cookman College, Daytona Beach, Florida, Presidential advisor, recipient of Spingarn Medal
Portrait of Mary McLeod Bethune by Carl Van Vechten. Published 1949.
Source: Carl Van Vechten, photographer, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division (Reproduction Number LC-USZ62-42476DLC)
DATE OF BIRTH
July 10, 1875
|
PLACE OF BIRTH
Mayesville, South Carolina
|
DATE OF DEATH
May 18, 1955
|
PLACE OF DEATH
Daytona Beach, Florida
|
FAMILY BACKGROUND
One of 17 children of Samuel and Patsy McLeod, former slaves. Mary worked in the cotton fields with her family. Married Albertus Bethune and had a son.
EDUCATION
Maysville Presbyterian Mission School, Scotia Seminary and the Moody Bible Institute (Dwight Moody's Institute for Home and Foreign Missions).
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Founded the Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute for Negro Girls (now Bethune-Cookman College) in 1904, and served as president from 1904-1942 and from 1946-47. Was a leader in the black women's club movement and served as president of the National Association of Colored Women. Was a delegate and advisor to national conferences on education, child welfare, and home ownership.Was Director of Negro Affairs in the the National Youth Adminstration from 1936 to 1944. Served as consultant to the U.S. Secretary of War for selection of the first female officer candidates. Appointed consultant on interracial affairs and understanding at the charter conference of the U.N. Founder of the National Council of Negro Women. Vice-president of the NAACP. Was awarded the Haitian Medal of Honor and Merit, that country's highest award. In Liberia she received the honor of Commander of the Order of the Star of Africa.
Mary McLeod Bethune as portrayed by Madelyn Sanders
WEBSITES
- Mary McLeod Bethune from the Florida Memory Project
- Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune from Bethune Cookman College
- Mary McLeod Bethune Council House
- Mary McLeod Bethune Papers: The Bethune Foundation Collection
Mary McLeod Bethune from the National Women's Hall of Fame - Mary McLeod Bethune speaks of the power of education (sound files) from New York Public Library Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
- Profiles in Caring: Mary McLeod Bethune from the National Association for Home Care
QUOTE
"From the first, I made my learning, what little it was, useful every way I could." ~ Mary McLeod Bethune
CITATION
This page may be cited as:
Women in History. Mary McLeod Bethune biography. Last Updated: 1/14/2013. Women In History Ohio.
<http://www.womeninhistoryohio.com/mary-mcleod-bethune.html>
Women in History. Mary McLeod Bethune biography. Last Updated: 1/14/2013. Women In History Ohio.
<http://www.womeninhistoryohio.com/mary-mcleod-bethune.html>
WOMEN IN HISTORY
P.O. Box 770682 Lakewood, OH 44107 216.228.4779 Phone or Fax E-mail: women@womeninhistoryohio.com