Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune after she received an honorary doctorate degree from
Rollins College president Hamilton Holt
requested that one of her girls participate in Madame Walker’ s beauty training course at her New York College.
She was also instrumental in the success of Engram Electric, contracting most of the electrical projects for Bethune-Cookman University with the company.
Closer to home, Dr. Bethune founded Bethune Mortuary in the 1940s. Operated by her son, Albert McLeod Bethune, with his wife serving as mortician, the funeral home proved to be a lucrative business for more than 25 years.
“ She dabbled in many different businesses,” said Dr. Tasha L. Youmans, Library Dean / Chief Librarian at Bethune-Cookman University.“ She saw a need; she established a business to meet that need.”
She Made a Difference in People’ s Lives
These are just a few examples of Dr. Bethune’ s legacy. At the time of her death on May 18, 1955, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune was considered one of the greatest Black women to have lived. The Washington Post commented that“ not only are her own people, but all of America, has been enriched and ennobled by her courageous, ebullient spirit.”
“ She wasn’ t just an average educator,” Dr. Youmans said.“ She really had power. She moved quietly, but she was a force. Dr. Bethune was recognized by everyone, not
Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune in front of White Hall just the Black community, but the white community as well, as being somebody. She made a difference in many people’ s lives.” E
Originally published in EVOLVE Magazine, August 2021.
Bethune-Cookman University staff members, Dr. Tasha L. Youmans, Library Dean / Chief Librarian; Thomas Jelneck, Director of Marketing and Communications; and Linda Caldwell, writer, contributed to this article.
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