Mary McLeod Bethune 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 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTEYr8cd1us http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6zHh9U8ZYI http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=encR1RbFk3w&feature=related
R.I.P. Soror Bethune. Lawd, memories!....When my sister was a student at BCC, I remember walking that campus so much I could tell the new Freshmen where their classes were! lol Dr. Bethune's house is there and open for sight-seeing tours. And she is buried there as well. Her gravestone marker says it best: