June 24

Mary McLeod Bethune

On June 24, 1936, Mary McLeod Bethune became Director of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration.  Bethune is best known for starting the college that has her name today, Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach. Bethune served as president of the college from 1923 to 1942 and in 1946 and 1947. The United Negro College Fund was founded on April 25, 1944 by Bethune and Frederick D. Patterson. The United Negro College Fund often referred to as UNCF provides scholarships for 39 private historically Black colleges and universities. She also was a national adviser to President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Bethune was born in Mayesville, South Carolina  on July 10, 1875 to parents who had been slaves. She demonstrated throughout her life the power of education. Bethune died on May 18, 1955 in Daytona Beach, Florida at the age of 79.

In 1904 Bethune started the Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls. This school eventually merged in 1931 with the all boys Cookman Institute. This school was functioning as a four year college in the early 1940's.