THURSDAY, THURSDAY, JULY 8 - JULY 14, 2010
JULY 8 - 14, 2010 TRAVEL
TRAVEL THE B
THE TENNESSEE TRIBUNE 1TENNESSEE TRIBUNE 1 B
Florida Woman Helped Pave The
Way For Civil Rights Movement In
America
(Above) A statue of Mary McLeod
Bethune
(Right) Bethune’s House
The grave site of Mary McLeod Bethune
by Jim Weaver
Daytona, Florida, may simply were not given ap- more than 3,000 students president of the college served by the National Park remarkable achievements
seem an unlikely place propriate recognition. But from throughout Florida, from 1923 to 1942 and Service as a National His- continue to inspire its mis-
for great events in African one woman, Mary McLeod the U.S., and abroad. There 1946 to 1947, one of the toric Site. Known as Coun- sion and work.
American history, but it Bethune, demonstrated un- are seven degree granting few women in the world cil House it was Bethune’s RoChaunna Williams,
was here that Jackie Rob- usual courage, dedication, schools and 26 undergradu- who served as a college last official residence and a 2010 graduating senior
inson first broke the color and achievement and her ate majors. president at that time. the original headquarters of from Atlanta, GA, said her
barrier in major league legacy lives on more than a On a recent visit to the Bethune was active in National Council of Negro decision to attend Bethune-
baseball playing for the half century following her university campus, I was a number women’s orga- Women (NCNW). Today Cookman University was
Montreal Royals a farm death. impressed to see how re- nizations, and her lead- the Council House offers a an easy one.
club of the Brooklyn Dodg- Bethune was born in vered Dr. Bethune is ership helped her to be- variety of educational pro- “I wanted to go to one of
ers. It was here too that South Carolina to parents now more than a half come nationally known. grams and exhibits. the historic black colleges
Mary McLeod Bethune es- who had been slaves. With century since her death. She supported Franklin In 1935, Dr. Bethune and choose BCU because
tablished a school in 1905 the help of benefactors, she Everyone knows who D. Roosevelt’s election in convened a national meet- of my great
for the daughters of black received a college educa- she was and what a dynam- 1932, and later served as ing of leaders from 28 black love and respect for Dr.
railroad workers, now Bet- tion and planned to become ic leader she was in both his Advisor on Minority Af- women’s organizations and Bethune. She is the kind
hune-Cookman University, a missionary in Africa. In- education and civil rights. fairs sharing the concerns proposed the formation of of woman, I hope I might
and went on to achieve na- stead, with just $1.50, she The school far surpassed of black people with the an umbrella organization emulate.”
tional prominence as an ed- began a school for black the standards of education Roosevelt administration. that would provide Visitors to the Daytona
ucator and early civil rights girls in Daytona Beach in for black students in the She became a close per- a unified voice on issues area can visit the univer-
leader. 1905. From five students it south, and rivaled those sonal friend of First Lady of importance to women sity, tour the Bethune home
The history of African grew and merged with an of white schools. Bethune Eleanor Roosevelt. and people of color. Sev- (now fully restored and
Americans in the first half institute for Black boys in worked tirelessly to ensure Her home, located on enty five years after its maintained in the period
of the 20th century is domi- Jacksonville and became funding for the school, and the university campus has founding, NCNW now of Bethune’s college presi-
nated by men -- George the Bethune-Cookman used it as a showcase for been designated a National has over 39 national affili- dency), visit her grave site
Washington Carver, Book- School. Today, its the tourists and donors, to ex- Historic Landmark and her ates connecting more than and view the large bronze
er T. Washington, and Bethune-Cookman Univer- hibit what educated black house in Washington, D.C. four million women. Dr. statue honoring her as it
W.E.B. DuBois. Women sity annual enrollment is people could do. She was in Logan Circle is pre- Bethune’s dedication and founder.