Question

building a better world
mary mcleod bethune was an educator and a womens and civil rights activist. in her lifetime, bethune taught and ran educational institutions for a total of forty-five years. she believed that education was important for empowering women and for supporting the civil rights movement.

bethune started her first school in a house in daytona beach, florida. at the time, there were no schools for black girls. her school was so successful that it outgrew the house. she purchased land to build a bigger school. this new school opened in 1904. bethune continued to support it. she raised money door-to-door and asked businesses for donations. in 1929, it merged with the all-boys cookman institute and became a college, accepting boys and girls. today, the school is called bethune-cookman university, and is still active.

in 1936, president franklin roosevelt appointed her director of the division of negro affairs of the national youth administration (nya). she was the first african american to lead a federal agency. she worked with federal and state organizations to support the rights of african american youth. then, at the start of world war ii, bethune counseled roosevelt about allowing african american women to serve in the european conflict.

after leaving the nya, bethune returned to bethune-cookman college. she lived there until she died in 1955. through her teaching experience and leadership, she changed the lives of many women and men. her life and efforts were honored with a memorial statue in 1974 and a postage stamp in 1985.
source 1
expository essay
find text evidence
paragraph 1
the central idea is highlighted.
what does the central idea tell you about the focus of the source?

paragraph 2
what facts and details support the central idea?

paragraphs 3-4
circle the ways bethune used her voice in government. then underline the ways she was honored for her leadership.

take notes: central idea and give example details.

Explanation:

For Paragraph 1:

The highlighted central idea shows the source focuses on Bethune's core belief that education was a tool for empowering women and advancing the civil rights movement, framing her life's work around this goal.

For Paragraph 2:

Facts supporting the central idea include: she founded the first school for Black girls in Daytona Beach, Florida; the school outgrew its original house, leading her to buy land for a larger campus; she raised funds door-to-door and from businesses; the school merged with Cookman Institute in 1929 to become a coeducational college (now Bethune-Cookman University) that remains active.

For Paragraphs 3-4:

Ways Bethune used her voice in government (to circle): She was appointed director of the Division of Negro Affairs of the NYA (the first African American to lead a federal agency) and worked with federal/state groups to support African American youth; she counseled President Roosevelt to let African American women serve in the European conflict during WWII.
Ways she was honored for her leadership (to underline): She was given a memorial statue in 1974 and a postage stamp in 1985.

Take Notes:

Central idea: Education empowers women and supports civil rights, and Bethune acted on this belief through lifelong leadership.
Examples/details: Founded a school for Black girls that grew into a university; led a federal youth agency; advocated for African American women in WWII; honored with a statue and postage stamp.

Answer:

Paragraph 1 Response:

It tells us the source focuses on Mary McLeod Bethune's core belief that education was critical for empowering women and advancing the civil rights movement, which was the foundation of her life's work.

Paragraph 2 Response:

• She started the first school for Black girls in Daytona Beach, Florida
• The school outgrew its house, so she bought land to build a larger one (opened 1904)
• She raised funds door-to-door and from businesses to support the school
• The school merged with Cookman Institute in 1929 to become a coeducational college, now active as Bethune-Cookman University

Paragraphs 3-4 Response:

Circled (government voice):

1. Appointed director of the Division of Negro Affairs of the NYA (first African American to lead a federal agency), working with federal/state groups to support African American youth
2. Counseled President Roosevelt to allow African American women to serve in the European WWII conflict

Underlined (honors for leadership):

1. Memorial statue dedicated in 1974
2. Postage stamp issued in 1985

Take Notes Response:

Central idea: Education is a key tool for empowering women and advancing civil rights, and Bethune dedicated her life to acting on this.
Examples/details: Founded a school for Black girls that evolved into Bethune-Cookman University; led a federal youth rights agency; advocated for African American women's military service in WWII; posthumously honored with a statue and postage stamp.