Mary Jane McLeod was born on July 10, 1875, in Mayesville, South Carolina. She was the first member of her family born free but her family had little means. She was the first member of her family to attend school, and against great odds, she would go on to be an educator and pioneering leader, playing a key role in the fight for racial and gender equality. Mary met her husband Albertus Bethune during one of her teaching assignments in South Carolina, and soon started a family, giving birth to…
