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 Administration 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.

QUOTE

"From the first, I made my learning, what little it was, useful every way I could."  ~ Mary McLeod Bethune