Mary McLeod Bethune was an African American woman who wanted to further opportunities for young African Americans. She was a close friend with Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of Franklin Roosevelt. Mary was head of the Division of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration. Her job was to be sure the National Youth Administration provided jobs for African American Youth. She started a school in Daytona Beach that was originally for young African American girls, but grew into the Bethune-Cookman University. Mary was a strong believer in civil rights and eventually became a member of the Black Cabinet, a group of African Americans that helped President Franklin Roosevelt during his New Deal Acts and the Great Depression.
Mary was born July 10, 1875 in South Carolina. Her parents were former slaves and most of her siblings had been slaves. She had gone to school in hopes of being a missionary in Africa, but instead taught.
Mary strongly believed that in order to strengthen the conditions of African Americans, the women needed to be properly educated. Therefore, she started her greatest achievement, the Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls.
SOURCES:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_McLeod_Bethune
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Good but be sure to include personal thoughts.