Educating the Masses: Mary McLeod Bethune
Born in South Carolina in 1875, Mary McLeod Bethune was one of 17 children of Samuel and Patsy McLeod, former slaves. She married Albertus Bethune, had a son, and completed her education at the Maysville Presbyterian Mission School, Scotia Seminary and the Moody Bible Institute. Among her many accomplishments, she founded the Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute for Negro Girls (now Bethune-Cookman College) in 1904, and served as president from 1904-1942 and from 1946-47. She died in 1955.
Other artifacts in this station: Picture of Florine Abel, former school principal in the Manatee County School system for whom Abel Elementary School is named. There are also pictures of future educators in the Manatee County School System.
