Salute To Iconic Women: Mary McLeod Bethune

By Rhonesha Byng

March 21 2013, Published 3:00 a.m. ET

“Without faith, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible.” –Mary McLeod Bethune

Occupation: Educator and Civil Rights Activist

How she made her mark: Despite being born to former slaves, during a time period when black people were not afforded many freedoms Mary McLeod Bethune graduated from Scotia Seminary for Girls in 1893. She went on to become the founder of Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute in 1904, known as the Bethune-Cookman College. In 1935, she founded National Council of Negro Women. Bethune believed that education was the key to the advancement of Black people and throughout her life actively served as an advocate and promoter of education and equal rights.

Which historic woman who made history inspires you?

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By: Rhonesha Byng

Rhonesha Byng is the founder and CEO of Her Agenda— a digital media platform bridging the gap between ambition and achievement for millennial women. The site provides access to content and community that gives millennial women access to information and inspiration to help them get started or to move to the next level of their career. Rhonesha is an Emmy award-winning journalist and entrepreneur whose philosophy in life is established by her acronym of N.E.S.H.A. No one Ever Slows Her Agenda. This motto served as the inspiration for Her Agenda. Rhonesha was named to the 2017 Forbes 30 Under 30 list and ESSENCE magazine named her among 50 Founders To Watch. Rhonesha is also the co-founder of the newly formed nonprofit org The Black Owned Media Equity and Sustainability Institute (BOMESI).