Black History Month / Mary Mcleod Bethune

Mary McLeod Bethune 1875 to 1955
Teacher / Black Civil Rights / Activist for the rights of Black Women

Mary grew up on farm picking rice and cotton. She later went to school and attend college. As a young woman she wanted to become a missionary and move to Africa. After that did not work she start a African- American school for girls in Daytona Beach, Florida. The school eventually grew and include boys and became Bethune- Cookman School. She served two (2) terms as school President were she worked endless raising money for the school.

Mary Bethune also helped get President Franklin D. Roosevelt get elected in 1932. After his election she worked as a adviser to President Roosevelt's Black Cabinet or {Federal Council of Negro Affairs}. This group as support by Eleanor Roosevelt, in which Eleanor and Mary worked on and hammered out many issues concerning Blacks. Before the election of President Roosevelt a Democrat, Blacks had traditionally voted Republican, because it had been the Republican that had supposedly freed the slaves from slavery.

She also worked under two (2) more Presidents, Calvin Coolidge as child welfare adviser. Herbert Hoover appoint her to the cabinet of children health.   

As a public figured she work also as President of the National Association of Colored Women {N.A.C.W. N} for the Florida chapter. She also served as President of Southeast Federation of Colored Women Clubs. Bethune also found the The National Counsel of Black Women in New York City. She worked very hard to get Black Women officer position in the Women's Army Corp during World War II. She also help Blacks get training to become pilots!

The list goes on and on! It was once said nobody can do what Mary Bethune can do!" Under her guidance she changed the image Black people and especially that of Black Women!

*NOTE*
This is a excellent person for young Black girls to due a report on for school! Mary Bethune was a true independent Black Women! Some Black women really do not understand what they are saying when they say that! "It means holding your own in a time of need, BUT ALWAYS WORKING WITH OTHERS TO IMPROVE OUR SITUATION TOGETHER!  

Sister Mary Bethune we love you for all your work towards equality! Mary you made us better as a race of people, but you taught our young women to grow up and shine like Black Diamonds!

Peace, love and Unity