Mary Mcleod Bethune: My Final Volition Too Testament

Photo: H5N1 immature Mary McLeod Bethune (b. July 10, 1875 - d. May 18, 1955)

Born July 10, 1875 inwards Mayesville, South Carolina, Mary Jane McLeod Bethune became a civil rights leader as well as educator known best for creating a person schoolhouse for African-American students inwards Daytona Beach, Florida -- now known every bit Bethune-Cookman University. Born to enslaved African parents, Sam as well as Patsy McLeod, she has left her legacy upon the wall of time: serving the African-American community, advising United States of America presidents, as well as more. Rising from the humblest background, she became an icon of African womanhood every bit preserver as well as a adult woman of courage inwards the expression upwards of slap-up social as well as economical challenges. Below is ane of McLeod's writings -- more of a prayer poem -- titled My Last Will as well as Testament.

If I remove hold a legacy to larn out my people, it is
my philosophy of living as well as serving.

Here, Then, is My Legacy...

• I larn out y'all love.
  
  Love builds. It is positive as well as helpful.
   
• I larn out y'all hope.
Yesterday, our ancestors endured the degradation of slavery, even then they retained their dignity.
 
• I larn out y'all the challenge of developing
  confidence inwards ane another.
This variety of confidence volition assist the economical ascent of the race past times bringing together the pennies as well as dollars of our people as well as ploughing them into useful channels.
 
• I larn out y'all thirst for education.
Knowledge is the prime number postulate of the hour. 
 
• I larn out y'all a honour for the uses of power.
Power, intelligently directed, tin Pb to to a greater extent than freedom.
 
• I larn out y'all faith.
Faith inwards God is the greatest power, exactly great, too, is faith inwards oneself.
 
• I larn out y'all racial dignity.
I wish Negroes to keep their human dignity at all costs.
 
• I larn out y'all a wish to alive harmoniously amongst your boyfriend man.

• I larn out you, finally, a responsibleness to our immature people.
  
  The the world around us actually belongs to youth, for youth volition remove hold over its futurity management.
  
  Mary McLeod Bethune

Bronze memorial statue of Mary McLeod Bethune, past times Robert Berks, located inwards Washington D.C.