Mary McLeod Bethune dedicated her life to expanding educational opportunities for Black youth, breaking barriers in both academia and politics. Her legacy reminds us that education is a right—not a privilege—and must be protected against discrimination. If schools fail to uphold these rights, students must take action to ensure equal opportunities for all.

The Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team is ready to help defend you if your school has taken unjust actions and failed to uphold your rights. Call 888-535-3686 or fill out our contact form with your information to schedule a consultation.

Mary McLeod Bethune: Promoting Education for Black Youth

Mary McLeod Bethune (born 1875, died 1955) was an educator, philanthropist, humanitarian, and civil rights activist in the early 20^th century. She was a prolific voice in education and politics, establishing several women's and youth associations for Black Americans, officially participating as the only Black woman in the U.S. delegation that created the United Nations charter, working on the presidential campaign of Franklin D. Roosevelt, creating the Federal Council on Colored Affairs (also known as the Black Cabinet), and founding a private school for Black Americans that would later become Bethune-Cookman University.

Education was an important part of Bethune's childhood, and it inspired her to teach and eventually found her own school. After the success of her school, Bethune went on to become more involved in public affairs in Daytona Beach, Florida, where she lived and founded her school. While she was still alive, she was considered an important figure in education and political participation for Black Americans. Shortly after her death in 1955, she was praised by the mainstream press as having helped break down racial barriers in American society.

Mary McLeod Bethune's Legacy

Bethune received many honors throughout her life and posthumously. She's remembered both as a significant force for improving education for Black Americans and as a crucial figure in American history. Schools across the U.S. have been named after her to honor the contributions she made.

As we celebrate Black History Month in the U.S., we remember people like Mary McLeod Bethune. Without her commitment to promoting education for Black children, without the life she spent dedicated to promoting the rights of Black Americans, our school system might not look the same today.

Schools that disregard students' rights to education do a disservice to Mary McLeod Bethune and all the people like her who worked to ensure equal opportunities for all students, no matter their race. It's thanks to their work that we have federal legislation protecting these rights—and schools shouldn't be allowed to take those away because of some inflammatory “anti-DEI” rhetoric going around.

What to Do if Your School Tramples on Your Rights

If you think your school has discriminated against you by taking away an educational opportunity that you're entitled to or unfairly punishing you, you should take a stand. Letting it happen without saying anything would be dishonoring the legacy of Black History Month. If it happens to you, call the Lento Law Firm's Student Defense Team. We defend students against their institutions nationwide, and we're committed to helping you seek justice.

Call 888-535-3686 or send us your case information via our contact form.