Mary was 1 of 17 children born to freed slaves living in poverty in South Carolina. At the age of 4 she taught herself to read with no instruction and was inspired to learn more.
BEFORE the ASCENSION
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BEFORE the NORTH STAR
In pursuit of her dream as a child she walked 8 miles everyday to a local one-room schoolhouse. She was the only one of her siblings to attend school.
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BEFORE becoming ETERNAL
Mary received a scholarship to Scotia Seminary in North Carolina at the age of 12. She remained there for six years, until graduation. Then she moved to Chicago to study at Moody Bible Institute.
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ASCENSION
Mary worked as an educator for nearly a decade, believing that education was the key to racial advancement. Determined to start her own school for girls, she moves to Florida and opened Daytona Educational and Industrial School for Negro Girls.
Years of perseverance and success created the opportunity for Mary to merge her school with Cookman College for Men (now known as Bethune-Cookman University).
NORTH STAR
Mary founded the National Council of Negro Women, taking on a more significant political role in the burgeoning civil rights movement.
Her last will and testament strongly stressed the importance of education for African Americans and women.
ETERNAL
Mary Bethunes’s journey reminds us that education, determination, and advocacy are the tools that shatter the chains of injustice.
She embodies the relentless spirit that propels us to rise above adversity and create a world where all individuals are empowered to reach their fullest potential.
IMPACT