Mary McLeod Bethune

Mary McLeod Bethune was an influential American educator and civil rights leader born in 1875. She founded the Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute for Negro Girls, which later became Bethune-Cookman University in Florida. Bethune worked tirelessly for African American education and advocated for women's rights. She played a significant role in the National Council of Negro Women and served as an advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, where she pushed for policies benefiting minorities. Her legacy is marked by her commitment to education, empowerment, and social justice, making her a prominent figure in both education and civil rights history.