“Census records show she was reading by the time she was 4 years old.”. Bethune had a dream that she would be an educator or missionary,” Lucas-Youmans said. In 1907, Albertus left Mary and moved to South Carolina. In addition to all the commitments that she had over the years, Bethune continued to work with many different organizations such as the National Urban League, the Association of American Colleges, and the League of Women Voters. But Bethune knew that to sustain the school and to expand she would need large contributions and the support of foundations. During the time she taught in Illinois, she visited prisoners in jail, giving them inspiration through songs (National Association of Home Care). Thanks to the help of her teacher, Mary got a scholarship and was able to attend Scotia Seminary, now Barber-Scotia College, in North Carolina, where she graduated in 1893. By the end of the first year Bethune was teaching 30 girls. In Proquest (database online). As a result of her hard work and contributions to society, there was a United States Postal Stamp issued in 1985, thirty years after her death, in remembrance of Mary McLeod Bethune. 22:  403. After graduating her first class Bethune went on to establish a high school for young Black girls. “I think her legacy speaks for itself,” Lucas-Youmans said. In addition, she was also able to go to the individuals who were a part of the support groups that she organized including white club women and the wives of prominent men. Mary had to walk five miles to and from school. The Historically Black College and University Mega Site Web site, at http://hbcuconnect.com, strives to be a link between all Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) worldwide. New York City had the largest black urban population in the United States in 2000 with over 2 million African American residents. It was on one of those days, while working alongside her family that Mary learned her formal education was about to begin. “People walk through here all day,” said Tasha Lucas-Youmans, Dean of the Carl S. Swisher Library on the Bethune-Cookman campus. She was an educator, an organizer, and a political activist, and opened one of the first schools for African American girls. When one of Bethune’s students became violently ill, she took her to the nearest hospital. All rights reserved. She was an educator, an organizer, and a political activist, and opened one of the first schools for African American girls. Shortly after the start of World War I, she was invited to Washington, D.C. by Vice President Thomas Marshall to discuss the issue of segregation. “We specialize in the wholly impossible: Black women school founders and their mission.” Signs Vol. Mary McLeod Bethune. https://www.sunsigns.org/famousbirthdays/d/profile/mary-mcleod-bethune At different points of her life Bethune served as the Florida Chapter president of the National Association of Colored Women, founded the National Council of Negro Women and she co-founded the United Negro College Fund in 1944. In 2000, in cities with over 100,000 residents, Gary, Indiana, 85 percent of residents were African American, while Detroit, Michigan had 83 percent (ibid.). Slavery was a heated topic in American society and politics. A slave himself, he spent every spare moment working to earn money to purchase Patsy’s freedom. She formed a choir with her students and gave performances to raise money. In 1936, she was the director of the National Youth Administration’s Division of Negro Affairs and in 1940 she was the vice-president of the NAACP. Mary worked side by side with her mother and father to farm their five acre tract of land. In 1935, Bethune received the prestigious Spingarn Medal. It's fitting considering the campus wouldn't be here if it weren't for Bethune's dream — and commitment — to making education available to black students. Daytona Beach in the 1940’s: Apartheid USA Style. Later, boys were able to attend as well (National Association of Home Care). https://www.nahc.org/NAHC/Val/Columns/SC10-6.html. Her greatest problem was a lack of money. In 1907, Albertus left Mary and moved to South Carolina. Proclaimed by her mother and neighbors as different from birth, Mary was said to be born with her eyes open; she was known to see things before they happened. 1. Undeterred, Mary continued to pour her soul into the school and its students. Mary McLeod Bethune was an educator, an organizer, and a political activist. 1863- Emcancipation Proclamation announced the end of slavery 1875- Mary McLeod Bethune is born 1884- Entered Miss Wilson's School 1887- Entered Scotia Seminary 1894- Graduates from Scotia Seminary 1895- Began teaching at Miss Wilson's School 1898- Married Albertus Bethune 1899- First child born “She had the audacity to go to beachside and be brazen enough to confront these people, a lot of the wealthy white people that would come here for summer vacation, and talk to them and encourage them to help,” Lucas-Youmans said. She said, “From the first, I made my learning, what little it was, useful every way I could,” as an inspiration that nothing is impossible (Women in History). Near the headstone is a large iron bell that she used to round up students in the early days of the school. As the school grew, so did Bethune… The majority of African Americans are of African, and Native American ancestry. Profiles in Caring. It wasn’t until 1931 that the school’s name was officially changed to Bethune-Cookman College to reflect the leadership of Bethune. Along the way, she befriended First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who stayed at her home on the Bethune-Cookman campus on three different occasions. The 2000 Census showed that 54.8 percent of African Americans lived in the South; 17.6 percent lived in the Northeast, 18.7 percent in the Midwest, and 8.9 percent lived in the western states. Mary McLeod Bethune, born to former slaves a decade after the Civil War, devoted her life to ensure the right to education and freedom from discrimination for black Americans. Available from University Microfilms (UMI). “So, she came to Daytona Beach in 1904 and founded this campus with only $1.50, five little girls and her faith in God.”. It was her belief that while advances made among women at that time had prepared them to play a critical role, Black women also lacked organization. Beside it lies Bethune’s grave, which is surrounded by flowers with white benches on either side. The award was established by the NAACP to honor “the highest or noblest achievement by a Negro.” Mary McLeod Bethune’s contribution to Black America were indeed great. Support local journalism by becoming a subscriber. However, when Samuel McLeod sought permission from Patsy’s master to marry her he was granted permission with the stipulation that he first buy her. Deeply committed to the cause of Black women, Bethune founded the National Council on Black Women in 1935. They believed her.”. Others will even talk to her.”. She also shared the opinion of W.E.B. Born in Mayesville, South Carolina, in 1875, Mary McCleod was the 15th of 17 children born to former slaves Sam and Patsy McLeod. On one occasion, a young Mary picked up a book but as she opened it, a white child took it away from her, saying Mary didn't know how to read. In 1898, she married Albertus Bethune and moved to Savannah, Georgia. Rejected by the Presbyterian Board of Missions, Mary returned to Mayesville and taught in the school where her own formal education had begun. At the end of the session a gentleman approached her and gave her a $20 bill.