Mary Jane McLeod Bethune (born
Mary Jane McLeod; July 10, 1875 – May 18, 1955) was an American educator and life rights leader best known for starting a private school for
African-American students in
Daytona Beach, Florida. She attracted donations of time and money, and developed the academic school as a college. It later continued to develop as
Bethune-Cookman University. She also was appointed as a national adviser to President
Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of what was known as his
Black Cabinet. She was known as "The First Lady of The Struggle" because of her commitment to gain better lives for African Americans.