Mary McLeod Bethune: Educator-Activist-Visionary

By Joe Marzo

Mary McLeod Bethune was a trailblazer in American history, an educator, civil rights leader, and presidential advisor whose work laid the foundation for generations of Black Americans to access education and economic opportunity. As the founder of Bethune-Cookman University and a powerful advocate for racial and gender equality, she tirelessly fought to uplift African Americans, using education as her primary weapon against oppression.

Early Life and Education: A Journey Against the Odds

Mary Jane McLeod was born on July 10, 1875, in Mayesville, South Carolina, to Samuel and Patsy McLeod, formerly enslaved parents who worked as farmers. She was one of seventeen children and grew up in a world still grappling with the aftermath of the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Although opportunities for Black education were scarce in the Jim Crow South, young Mary had an insatiable thirst for knowledge. At the age of 10, she walked several miles daily to attend Trinity Presbyterian Mission School, where she was introduced to reading and writing. This experience ignited her belief that education was the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality for African Americans.

Recognizing her potential, her teacher arranged for her to attend Scotia Seminary (now Barber-Scotia College) in Concord, North Carolina, a school dedicated to educating Black women. From there, she earned a scholarship to Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where she trained to become a missionary. However, after completing her studies, she was devastated to learn that Black missionaries were not being sent overseas. This discrimination led her to pivot toward education and social activism in the United States.

Building a School from Nothing: The Birth of Bethune-Cookman University

Determined to make a difference, Bethune moved to Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1904, where she set out to build a school for Black girls. With just $1.50 to her name, she rented a small house and gathered discarded furniture, charcoal for pencils, and used crates for desks. She started with five students—her son Albert and four girls—and named her institution the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls.

Bethune personally went door-to-door, raising funds from local Black laborers and White philanthropists, convincing them that education was the path toward racial progress. The school grew rapidly, and by 1910, it had over 100 students, offering classes in reading, writing, home economics, and industrial skills.

Merging to Create a University

In 1923, Bethune’s school merged with the Cookman Institute of Jacksonville, a school for Black boys founded in 1872. This union created Bethune-Cookman College, one of the first institutions of higher education for African Americans in the South. She became the first Black woman to serve as a college president and led the school for over two decades, emphasizing academic excellence, faith, and racial uplift.

Under her leadership, Bethune-Cookman College became a respected institution, attracting students from across the nation. It officially became a four-year accredited university in 1941.

A Force for Civil Rights and Women’s Empowerment

Bethune’s influence extended far beyond education—she was a tireless civil rights activist and political leader. Recognizing that Black women were often marginalized in both the suffrage movement and the broader fight for racial equality, she dedicated herself to Black women’s empowerment.

Founding the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW)

In 1935, Bethune founded the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), an organization dedicated to improving the lives of Black women and their families through education, job training, and political activism. The NCNW helped organize voter registration drives, fought for equal pay, and supported the war effort during World War II by pushing for Black women’s inclusion in the military.

Advisor to FDR

Bethune was a key figure in national politics, advocating for African Americans at the highest levels of government. She formed a strong relationship with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and became part of his Federal Council of Negro Affairs, also known as the “Black Cabinet”—a group of influential Black leaders who advised the administration on racial issues.

As Director of the Division of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration (NYA), Bethune was the highest-ranking Black woman in government at the time. She fought to secure vocational training and employment opportunities for thousands of young Black Americans, ensuring they were included in New Deal programs.

Bethune’s influence helped push the Roosevelt administration to desegregate some government agencies and increase funding for Black education. She also played a significant role in integrating the Red Cross & the Women’s Army Corps during World War II.

Later Life and Lasting Legacy

After World War II, Bethune continued advocating for racial justice, women’s rights, and global peace. She was a delegate at the founding conference of the United Nations in 1945, working to ensure that human rights and racial equality were global priorities.

Bethune retired to Daytona Beach, where she remained active in civic life, mentoring young Black leaders and advocating for her school. She passed away on May 18, 1955, at the age of 79, leaving behind a towering legacy of education and activism.

Honors and Memorials

Bethune’s contributions to education, politics, and civil rights continue to be celebrated. Among her many honors:

• In 1974, a statue of Bethune was placed in Lincoln Park, Washington, D.C., making her the first Black woman to be honored with a public monument in the capital.

• In 2022, she became the first Black American represented in the National Statuary Hall Collection in the U.S. Capitol, where her statue replaced that of a Confederate general.

• Bethune-Cookman University remains a respected historically Black college and university (HBCU), educating thousands of students each year.

• Several schools, parks, and roads across the country bear her name in recognition of her contributions.

Mary McLeod Bethune’s Legacy

Bethune’s legacy endures as a testament to the power of education, perseverance, and activism. She once wrote in her last will and testament:

“I leave you love. I leave you hope. I leave you the challenge of developing confidence in one another. I leave you a thirst for education.”

Her words and work continue to inspire generations, reminding us that education is a powerful tool for breaking down barriers and transforming society.

Sources:

• Hine, Darlene Clark. Black Women in America: An Historical Encyclopedia. Oxford University Press, 1993.

• National Park Service. Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site.

• Bethune-Cookman University Archives.

• Roosevelt, Eleanor. My Day: The Memoirs of Eleanor Roosevelt.