Black History Month Spotlight: Mary McLeod Bethune

This Black History Month, we honor Mary McLeod Bethune, an educator, civil rights leader, and labor advocate who dedicated her life to empowering African Americans through education and economic opportunity. She believed that knowledge was the key to racial advancement, and her lifelong work continues to inspire generations.

5 Facts About Mary McLeod Bethune:

• Founded Bethune-Cookman University (1904): She started a school for Black girls in Florida with just $1.50, which later became Bethune-Cookman University, one of the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
• Advisor to U.S. Presidents: She was a trusted advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, becoming the highest-ranking Black woman in government as part of his administration.
• Champion for Workers’ Rights: Bethune worked to increase job opportunities and fair wages for African Americans, particularly women, through the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW).
• Helped Establish the Black Cabinet: She played a key role in organizing Black leaders to influence federal policies, ensuring African Americans had a voice in government.
• First Black Woman Honored with a Statue in D.C.: In 2022, Bethune became the first Black woman to be honored with a statue in the U.S. Capitol’s Statuary Hall, recognizing her impact on education and civil rights.

Mary McLeod Bethune’s legacy reminds us that education, advocacy, and community empowerment are powerful tools for change. Her dedication continues to inspire leaders and activists today.

"Invest in the human soul. Who knows, it may be a diamond in the rough." – Mary McLeod Bethune

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