Mary McLeod Bethune By: Grace Butler

Introduction  Mary McLeod Bethune was a teacher for African Americans. She grew up on a farm called homestead in Maysville, South Carolina. She grew up to be a wonderful lady that did everything she could for human rights. She wanted to make sure everyone got treated fairly.

Accomplishments Mary accomplished many things in life. She did a lot of helpful things for the world. Without all these wonderful people we would still live in a mess.

Bethune  Mary married Albert Bethune in She met him while teaching at the Kindell Institute in Sumter, Georgia. They spent a lot of time together. They both sang in their church choir and Albert even taught Mary how to ride a bike. Mary and Albert moved to Savannah, Georgia where their son, Albert was born in Mary took a one year break from teaching to take care of Albert. Soon she became restless. She very badly wanted to begin teaching again. Mary’s husband was not interested in her teaching. Eventually they separated and their son stayed with Mary. She took a teaching job in Palatka, Florida and a friend took care of her baby during school hours.

Cookman  In 1925, Bethune joined with Cookman, a nearby school for boys. Mary was president of Bethune- Cookman College. eod_Bethune.jpg

Dreamer  Throughout her life Mary had powerful dreams. One dream was about many young people. They were wearing suits and dresses. They were waiting for someone to help them.

Europe  Mary toured Europe in She was treated differently there than in the United States. People respected her for her success.

Franklin D. Roosevelt  She advised for President Franklin D. Roosevelt about problems in education.

Goal  Mary needed money to teach more students. A man named Mr. White respected her GOAL. He gave her $250, which was what she used to build the school.

Heart Attack  On May 18 th, 1955, Mary died of a heart attack. She was buried on the grounds of Bethune- Cookman College. Her grave marker reads Mother. 55/dr-mary-jane-mcleod-bethune-2.jpg

Illinois  Enters Moody Bible Institute in  Chicago, Illinois in

Junk Yard  Mary had built the school on land that was once a junkyard. It was called Faith Hall. This was the start of Bethune College in

Knew It!!!  One day when Mary was little, she went to work with her mother. The white family that her mother worked for had a little girl that Mary played with. Mary picked up a book and looked at the letters and words. The playmate told Mary not to touch the book and that African Americans were not allowed to read. From that moment on, Mary knew she was going to learn to read.

Leader  Mary had always felt that all people should have an equal education. One day she decided to become a teacher and leader for African Americans. She decided to start a school for poor African American girls.

Maysville  Mary was born on July 10 th,1875 in Maysville, South Carolina. She was born to Samuel and Patsy Bethune.

Neat!  Mary made supplies for her school out of different things around the area. She used charred wood for pencils, she mashed berries for ink, and she stuffed large sacks with moss for beds.

One Dollar and Fifty Cents  Mary had $1.50 to start a school. She rented a small house. She found 4 young students. Mary opened her school in It was the Daytona Educational and Industrial School for Negro Girls. Mary’s dream was becoming real.

Poor  She grew up in a very poor family. Her family never went to school but she still learned to read and write. Her mother cooked and cleaned for a white family. The whole family worked in the fields. Mary picked cotton in fields and worked in the vegetable garden when she was very young..

Qualify  Mary McLeod Bethune is an AWESOME teacher and she is totally QUALIFIED for it!!!!!!!!!!

Rights  Mary was a great educator. She became a friend of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The two women had the same concerns. They wanted all people to be treated equally.

Stranger  Mary was picking cotton one day when a stranger came to visit. The stranger was a teacher. She was looking for African American students. Mary wanted to learn to read but, her parents needed her to work in the fields. Finally, they agreed to let Mary go to school. Every morning, Mary woke up early to go to school. She walked 5 miles (eight kilometers) to Miss Emma Wilsons school in Maysville.

Truman  Mary was present when Harry S. Truman (the current president) signed the bill for National Freedom Day.

Unique  Mary was a very unique child. She was the first child of her parents that was born into freedom. Unlike other children she was born with her eyes open!

Vision

Wonderful Life  Mary died on May 18 th, She had lived a wonderful life and we will never forget her. She had done so much for racism. She made sure that she did everything she could for African Americans. She would never let anyone be treated unfairly.

Xan-a-du  When Mary died she went to Xan-a-du(a beautiful place) because she was a wonderful person.

Years After A couple years after her college had started, it became a college for men and women. It was called Bethune- Cookman College. It was in Daytona, Florida.

Zest  Mary was a very zest person. She was always very kind and caring to everyone. She never let anyone down and she was always by their side.

Conclusion

Bibliography  McLoone, Margo, Mary McLeod Bethune  Bridgestone Books, 1997

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