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)
CHARACTER NAME: Mary McLeod Bethune
BIRTH DATE: July 10, 1875
BIRTH PLACE: Mayesville, South Carolina
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).
DESCRIPTION OF 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 Adminstration 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.
DATE OF DEATH: May 18, 1955
PORTRAYED BY: Madelyn Sanders
WEB SITES:
Mary McLeod Bethune from the Florida Memory Project
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune from Bethune Cookman College
Mary McLeod Bethune Council House
Mary McLeod Bethune Papers: The Bethune Foundation Collection
Mary McLeod Bethune from the National Women's Hall of Fame
Mary McLeod Bethune speaks of the power of education (sound files) from New York Public Library Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture
Profiles in Caring: Mary McLeod Bethune from the National Association for Home Care
QUOTE:
From the first, I made my learning, what little it was, useful every way I could.
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