Lucy Maret10 March 2014Research PaperMary McLeod Bethune was a strong woman who not only changed people's minds through teaching, but changed people's hearts with her words. She has changed people in many ways through teaching, as a school principal, and as a true African American woman. As a child she wanted to teach and help others and her dream came true. Mary McLeod Bethune is remembered today for her many works. Originally named Mary Jane McLeod, Mary was born and raised on July 10, 1875 and grew up in a log cabin in Mayesville, South Carolina. She was one of seventeen children in her family. She was the fifteenth child in her family and grew up with former slaves in her life. Mary had very loving and caring parents whose names were Sam and Pasty McLeod. His father, Sam, often worked on the farm they owned. His mother, Pasty, delivered and picked up the whites' laundry. Mary often came to play with her mother's daughter. Mary once got into an argument with a little white girl who said that at that time Mary couldn't read in South Carolina and it was illegal to teach a black person. This made Mary angry and she wanted to do something about it. When it came time for Mary to go to school, she often walked several miles each day to get there. The McLeod family owned a family mule that they loved but, sadly, the Mule got old. When he died, they now needed money to support their family. Unfortunately, their family quickly ended up bankrupt and in debt. Even though they owned a farm and worked every day. Some members of his family filtered cotton in the fields, but most picked cotton. Mary Jane McLeod was accepted to go to Moody... middle of paper... concluded: "My last will and testament" and Testament which served as a reflection on her life. (Source 1) This quote means that his latest works have served to reflect on his life. Sadly, Mary McLeod Bethune died of a heart attack on May 18, 1955. We look back on her life and our lives and think about what an amazing thing she did in her life. She will always be a wonderful woman for us to follow and guide us in our education. She thought education was key and that's a good lesson I can learn from her. Before her death, she lived the rest of her life at Bethune Cookman College, which shows how dedicated and devoted she was. “In her endeavors, she inspired us with her inner strength and passion, making her a truly extraordinary figure of the time.” (Source 4) Her strength made her a unique person and a wonderful woman in her time.