Origins & Early Life

Mary McLeod Bethune (née McLeod; July 10, 1875 – May 18, 1955) was an American educator, philanthropist, humanitarian, womanist, and civil rights activist. Bethune founded the National Council of Negro Women in 1935, and proceeded to establish the Aframerican Women's Journal, which was the flagship journal of the organization. She presided over other Black American women's organizations, including the National Association for Colored Women. Shortly after joining the National Youth Administration in 1935, Bethune became the first Black woman to lead a federal agency when she was appointed by President Franklin D.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Roosevelt as the head of a department within the NYA. She started a private school for Black American students which later became Bethune-Cookman University. She was the only Black American woman to hold an official position with the US delegation that created the United Nations charter. McLeod also held a leadership position for the American Women's Voluntary Services, which was founded by Alice Throckmorton McLean. Bethune wrote prolifically, publishing in several periodicals from 1924 to 1955.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After working on the presidential campaign for Franklin Roosevelt in 1932, she...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Albert Schweitzer — Contemporary (Born in 1875) (1875): German polymath renowned for theology, music, and 'Reverence for Life'
• Aleister Crowley — Contemporary (Born in 1875) (1875): Founder of Thelema, a major occultist, poet, and ceremonial magician.
• Alfred P. Sloan — Contemporary (Born in 1875) (1875): Pioneered modern corporate structure and the annual model cycle at General Motors.
• Akira Toriyama — Contemporary (Born in 1955) (1955): Pioneering manga artist, creator of Dr. Slump and the global phenomenon, Dragon Ball.
• Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud — Contemporary (Born in 1955) (1955): Saudi billionaire, investor, and influential member of the House of Saud.
• Alain Prost — Contemporary (Born in 1955) (1955): Four-time Formula One World Champion, nicknamed 'The Professor'.
• Adam František Kollár — Shared historical date (07-10 · Died) (1783): Pioneering Slovak jurist, historian, and coiner of the term ethnology.
• Adande Thorne — Shared historical date (07-10 · Born) (1980): Trinidadian-American YouTuber, animator, comedian, and actor known as Swoozie.
• Ai Weiwei — Shared historical date (05-18 · Born) (1957): Dissident Chinese conceptual artist, documentarian, and activist known for critiquing the CCP.
• Apsley Cherry-Garrard — Shared historical date (05-18 · Died) (1959): English polar explorer renowned for his Antarctic accounts and survival narratives.
• 1875 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1875
• July 10 (07-10) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on July 10
• 1955 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1955
• May 18 (05-18) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on May 18