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Mary McLeod Bethune
After having a book snatched from her little hand, Mary McLeod, the child of former slaves, resolved to learn to read. Many years later, with 1.50 in her pocket, Mary McLeod Bethune set out to make education a reality for other African Americans. The school she started in Florida is a legacy that continues her mission today. Bethune founded the National Council of Negro Women and was appointed to the National Youth Administration by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This inspiring, readable biography shows the power of determination and a dream.
* Reviews *
The Famous African Americans series does students a favor by offering a few titles on lesser-known figures, such as ,Marian Anderson, Paul Robeson, and this brief but illuminating look at Mary McLeod Bethune. "Mary Jane," as she was known as a kid, was her parents' fifteenth child but the first born free. Determined to read the family Bible, she went to school, then college, and then, with just $1.50 in her pocket, opened the first school for black girls in Daytona Beach, Florida. The desks were boxes; the pencils, coal. But, in a year, enrollment rocketed from 5 to 100, and Bethune was on her way to a career that would include White House meetings with FDR. Mediocre digital illustrations mix with fantastic period photos to make this a fascinating beginner bio., Booklist April 1, 2013
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Grades
K-2 IL
Grades
K-3 GRL
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