From The Ebony Files - Brief Article - Obituary

Ebony, March, 2000

Mary McLeod Bethune, a revered educator and founder of Bethune-Cookman College and the National Council of Negro Women, was the first Black woman to receive a major U.S. government appointment when she was named director of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration on June 24, 1936. Additionally, she played a major role in directing attention to Black problems as an advisor to President Roosevelt's administration.

Before Bethune died on May 18, 1955, at age 79, she had become the mentor and mother-figure for generations of Black male and female leaders.