Mary McLeod Bethune, 1875 – 1955

Mary McLeod Bethune, 1875 – 1955

Minister, Educator, Activist

Mary McLeod Bethune was born into a Christian home within in the farming community of Mayesville, South Carolina, on July 10, 1875. Her parents were former slaves and most of her 16 siblings were also born into slavery.  

From an early age, Bethune was motivated to learn as much as possible out of the belief that the difference between white children and black children was whether or not they could read.  Bethune eventually attended college with the hope of becoming a Missionary in Africa. 

Though she did not end on the mission field, she became arguably the most powerful African American person in America between the first half of the twentieth century, which Bethune credits to her Christian faith. 

Mary McLeod Bethune was the first African American female to establish a four-year institution of higher learning in the world, the Bethune-Cookman College. She was the first African American female to found a national organization to lobby the federal government, the National Council of Negro Women. And she was the first African American hold a high-ranking federal appointment under the Roosevelt presidency. 

And before her death in 1955, Bethune served as an advisor to three US presidents (Hoover, Roosevelt, and Truman) and was the recipient of many of the nation’s most prestigious awards. 

“We send a cry of Thanksgiving for people of all races, creeds, classes, and colors the world over, and pray that through the instrumentality of our lives the spirit of peace, joy, fellowship, and brotherhood shall circle the world. We know that this world is filled with discordant notes, but help us, Father, to so unite our efforts that we may all join in one harmonious symphony for peace and brotherhood, justice, and equality of opportunity for all men.”  – Mary McLeod Bethune