Why was Mary McLeod Bethune Important?
Mary McLeod Bethune was and continues to be an important figure in history and education. Her determination led her to become one of the most influential individuals which has ever lived during and after the time of slavery. Here is a short list of why Mary has become an important figure in education and civil rights. Mary was important because...
- She was the first and only child of former slaves to receive an education
- She founded and opened the Daytona Literacy and Industrial School for African-American girls during a time period in where the education of African-American children was not considered a priority
- She took a leap of faith and merged with Cookman Institute, an all-male school, to develop the first co-ed college in history and served as the schools President
- She founded the National Council of Negro Women; giving African-American women the opportunity to realize their dreams and goals for social justice and human rights
- She became director of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration
- She was involved in the NAACP and National Urban League
- She was President of the Association for the Study Negro Life and History
- She served under Franklin D. Roosevelt administration
How She Helped...
Mary McLeod Bethune helped African-Americans understand the importance of attaining an education and contributing to society. She helped the children of former slaves to realize that the way society labels them should not have to determine their future, and also helped society understand the importance of equality among European-Americans and African-Americans. She helped others by protesting Washington business when they refused to hire African-Americans, as well as demonstrated on the behalf of Scottsboro Boys who were accused of rape in Alabama. By being Director of the Negro Affair of the National Youth Administration, Mary was also able to help young African-Americans find jobs and help secure incoming funds for African-American students. With her many accomplishments and willingness to help those needs, it is understandable why Mary McLeod Bethune continues to be a woman in the history of education and civil rights who paved the way for African-Americans today.