Mary McLeod Bethune was an influential educator, civil rights leader, and advocate for African American women. Born in 1875 in Maysville, South Carolina, to parents who were former slaves, Bethune overcame significant hardships to become one of the most prominent African American leaders of her time. She earned a teaching degree from the Moody Bible Institute and later founded the Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute for Girls in 1904, which eventually became Bethune-Cookman University. Throughout her career, Bethune was dedicated to providing educational opportunities for African Americans, particularly young girls, and she firmly believed that education was the key to empowerment and progress for Black Americans.
Bethune was also deeply involved in the civil rights movement and held significant leadership roles in organizations such as the National Association of Colored Women and the National Council of Negro Women, which she founded. She was a close advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, serving as a member of his “Black Cabinet” and advocating for policies that would benefit African Americans during the Great Depression. Bethune’s legacy extends beyond education and civil rights; she was also a staunch advocate for racial equality, women’s rights, and social justice. Her work has left a lasting impact on both the African American community and American society as a whole, and she remains a pioneering figure in the history of education and social activism.