A History of Courage

Mary McLeod Bethune was the first African American woman to serve as the leader of a federal agency. In 1936, President Franklin Roosevelt named her director of the Division of Negro Affairs. In my research, I’ve discovered that Mary was a leader in early education. She founded the Daytona Educational and Training school in Florida. The school served the children of African American railroad workers. It later became Bethune-Cookman College. Mary helped make education available to everyone.

Mary McLeod Bethune

In 1934, Harry Moore was the head of the NAACP chapter in Brevard County. At that time, only five percent of Florida’s African Americans who were eligible to vote were registered. That means that many people who could vote were not being counted. Harry worked hard to increase the number of registered African-America voters. In sixteen years, he increased the number from five percent to thirty-one percent, more than any other state in the South.

Robert Hayling, an African American dentist organized campaigns against segregated public places in St. Augustine. Although he was beaten by the Ku Klux Klan, Robert did not give up his fight for equality. He joined others in Florida in the challenge of segregation. He asked Martin Luther King, Jr., to take part in the protests against segregated beaches, pools, and motels. Robert’s leadership helped push Congress to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Many people protested segregation.

Wow! There is a rich history of civil rights leadership in Florida. There are so many important and courageous people I could choose to write about. I can’t wait to learn more! I’m glad my class will celebrate diversity by learning about these leaders. Who do you think I should write about?

TLX News Journal: History Activity
Who you think Ruby should write about? Chose one of the three leaders she researched. Use classroom resources to find one more fact about the person you have chosen. Write the new fact in our TLX News Journal.