The First Ladies

Mary McLeod Bethune, the “First Lady of the Struggle,” is one of the two protagonists, and her point of view equals Eleanor’s in depth and chapter length. She has many roles: mother and grandmother, activist, educator, entrepreneur, and friend. Mary is smart, eloquent, persistent, hard-working, thoughtful, stubborn, patient, savvy, and empathetic. Mary is steadfastly committed to her all-girls school and to the many organizations that help her advance education and opportunity for Black youth. She never wavers in attending conferences, giving speeches, and fundraising, making connections with people like Mr. Gamble to ensure her school is well-funded and her students properly educated. She values family and supports her son, Albert, and lovingly raises her grandson, Albert Jr.

Though she has high ideals and clear goals, Mary is pragmatic and a problem-solver. When one of her students is denied medical care, she builds a hospital on the Bethune-Cookman campus that not only provides medical care but also trains Black nurses. When Albert Jr. is denied access to a white beach, she works for years to purchase a stretch of shoreline and create a beach that welcomes Black beachgoers.

Mary is also open-minded. A longtime Republican, Mary changes her affiliation to Democrat after connecting with Eleanor, despite others’ criticisms.