Mary+McLeod+Bethune

by Sarah, grade 5

Mary McLeod Bethune was a determined educator. She wanted her students to have the same education as Caucasian children.

Mary Jane McLeod was born on July 10, 1875 in South Carolina. When Mary was born, her eyes were wide open. Her midwife said she would see the future. Mary was the 15th of 17 children. Her parents were Patsy McIntosh and Samuel McLeod. Her mother was born a slave. Mary once said that her mother was a strong, resourceful woman. Now we go over to Mary's father, Samuel. Samuel was also born a slave. Did you know that Mary's father had to buy Mary's mother just to marry her? Samuel said he was a lucky man that day because most masters wouldn't let slaves buy other slaves.

Mary's father struggled a lot to support the family. He had to take on multiple jobs to earn extra cash. When Mary was 12, she had to go to North Carolina in the fall of 1887 to start school. The day Mary was leaving, friends and family cam by horse, ox or walked mils to meet her at the train station. Mary was super sad when she had to leave everything and everyone she loved behind.

When Mary finally reached North Carolina she was impressed by what she called "elegant surroundings". Mary got to North Carolina at night, so she had to find somewhere to stay. She got up early in the morning just to go to school. When Mary finally got to Scotia Seminary she went to her principal's office to meet her. Then she and her principal went to new classmates and her teacher.

When the first semester was over, Mary desperately wanted to go home but neither she nor her parents had the money for her train ticket. So to earn some extra cash, Mary worked at a job for two months and still didn't have the money for her train ticket.

When Mary was 36 she decided that she was going to open her own school. So to earn money to build that school she sold sweet potato pies and ice-cream which she made the night before. On the morning of October 4, 1904, Mary opened the doors to her new school. The school opened with 5 girls, ages 8 to 12. Their tuition was 50 cents per week.

Mary McLeod Bethune thought Black people had the same right to go to school as white people did. What was important about her life was what she thought Black children should have, she brought to life. Then when she did accomplish her goal, it was successful.