Mary McLeod Bethune
Mary McLeod Bethune
Mary Jane McLeod Bethunewas an American educator, stateswoman, philanthropist, humanitarian and civil rights activist best known for starting a private school for African-American students in Daytona Beach, Florida. She attracted donations of time and money, and developed the academic school as a college. It later continued to develop as Bethune-Cookman University. She also was appointed as a national adviser to President Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of what was known as his Black Cabinet. She was known as "The First...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionEducator
Date of Birth10 July 1875
CountryUnited States of America
We have a powerful potential in out youth, and we must have the courage to change old ideas and practices so that we may direct their power toward good ends.
Without faith, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible.
From the first, I made my learning, what little it was, useful every way I could.
Greatness is largely a social accident, and almost always socially supported.
You white folks have long been eating the white meat of the chicken. We Negroes are now ready for some of the white meat instead of the dark meat.
When they learn of Shakespeare and Goethe, we must teach them of Pushkin and Dumas. . . . Whatever the white man has done, we have done, and often better.
World peace and brotherhood are based on a common understanding of the contributions and cultures of all races and creeds
I do feel, in my dreamings and yearnings, so undiscovered by those who are able to help me.
[To the patronizing train conductor who had twice said, 'Auntie, give me your ticket':] Which of my sister's sons are you?
Cease to be a drudge, seek to be an artist.
Knowledge is the prime need of the hour.
I have had more than half a century of such happiness. A great deal of worry and sorrow, too, but never a worry or a sorrow that was not offset by a purple iris, a lark, a bluebird, or a dewy morning glory.
Whatever the white man has done, we have done, and often better.
I never stop to plan. I take things step-by-step.