America's Blueprint for Freedom

The Urgent Lessons of Mary McLeod Bethune

Come January 20th, a convicted felon and an adjudicated rapist will return to the White House. He ran primarily as a hateful voice of racism, xenophobia, and assorted bigotries, and he and his backers are counting on us feeling overwhelmed, powerless, and immobilized.

But history shows us the ways we can tap into our strength and how we can rise to meet moments like this. Mary McLeod Bethune is one such guide, and her story, beautifully captured in Noliwe Rooks’ book, A Passionate Mind in Relentless Pursuit, offers lessons we urgently need today. If you’re seeking inspiration, wisdom, and strategy, listen to my interview with the author.

Bethune’s journey began in 1875 in Maysville, South Carolina. The 15th of 17 children born to formerly enslaved parents, she grew up in a family that traded labor for land, building a homestead rooted in freedom and self-determination. This foundation shaped her unshakable belief in community and education.

At 12, Bethune walked miles to school, then returned home each evening to teach her siblings what she’d learned. She quickly became a resource for her neighbors, reading letters and newspapers aloud. This early sense of responsibility for others laid the groundwork for her future impact.

Bethune founded the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls, which later became Bethune-Cookman University. When a student endured a botched surgery at a white hospital, Bethune responded by establishing a hospital for Black patients and launching a nurse training program—actions rooted in her belief that community needs demand bold solutions.

One powerful moment from her life: during the first election after the 19th Amendment, Bethune organized Black women to vote despite threats from the Ku Klux Klan. When the Klan marched on her school, she led students and staff to meet them with song and courage; critics within the Black community asked why she put children in harm’s way, but her answer was resolute: “Because they need to know.” In that moment, Bethune taught a lesson that transcends generations: resistance requires visibility, and the next generation must witness courage to cultivate it within themselves.

Bethune’s influence extended nationally. A close friend of Eleanor Roosevelt, she became the first Black woman to lead a federal agency. Her National Council of Negro Women united 27 organizations to fight for literacy, voting rights, and education, embodying her belief in collective action.

Her “Last Will and Testament” leaves us timeless wisdom: “I leave you love. I leave you hope. I leave you a thirst for education.” These words remind us that history is not a burden but a wellspring of strength.

As we face rising challenges to justice and equality, we need Bethune’s example more than ever. Her story inspires us to act boldly, educate ourselves and others, and never lose sight of the power of community.