The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1937-07-03
CHURCH H0N0RS j. R. HAWKINS
Dr. Mary Bethne Completes First Year as NYA Director
URGES MORE
ATTENTION TO
RURAL YOUTHS

WASHINGTON, d. CDR. Mary
Mcleod Bethune, has Just COM
pleted her first year as Director
Of the Division Of Negro Affairs OF
he National Youth Administration.
and according 10 her report II was
a year filled with activity on be-
hali Of Negro youth the country
cyf
pr Bethune became a member
Of The NYA Advisory Committee in
1888, succeeding Miss Juanita Sad
Ter of New York City. and in 1886.
she was appointed National Dlrec-
tor OF the Youth Administration.
Since that time she has travel
cd extensively, observing the NYA
program in action in twenty-one
States. interpreting and dramatiz-
ng * to both Negro youths and
adults. Through her efforts his
tory making planning conference
designed TO adopt a unified pro-
gram embodying the Negroes de-
sires for executive and legislative
action, was held here In January:
an Increase of $4,000 in NYA
grants for Negro graduate stu
dents was approved; and thxSam-
her Of Negro students recsiyinY n
VA aid was increased from e6.Ms
10 more than $4,000.
For such distinctive and out
Standing service. DR.. Bethune was
recently awarded the Francis A.
Drexel Award by Xavier Univer-
sity' on June 4. This Award, Great
ed IN memory Of the father OF the
lhi'ersity's foundress. Is designed
10 single ont for its students, alum
NJ. and for all who share the hone
Of social reconstruction along
CHRISTIAN principles a living ex-
eniplar Of unselfish service.
Throughout the year, DR.. Be-
lnlne' has stressed the need OF
Negro youth training OF the hand
as we'll as the head. In order that
he might become a producer as
wen as a consumer. She has em-
phasized the extraordinary posi-
p'h'les OF the NYA program, which
now include student aid youth work
projects vocational guidance and
Placement camps for unemployed
women, and supervised leisure
TINE activities.
Recently she urged the execu-'
I'VE committee OF the NYA TO give
mole attention to the special prob
lem Of The rural Negro youth and
10 those who wished apprentice
trades To carry out such a pro-
gram she asked that more and
oe''er trained Negro supervisors
ana administrative workers be en-
proved Partly as result OF her ac-
u'l'ies' new program OF train
,hg courses In agriculture and
nome-making were made available
70 the sons and daughters OF ten
anu and other low-income farm
FAMILIES by the NYA, nineteen Ne
sro state administrative workers
were named and approved by state
'outn Administration and num-
Der 81 Negro Advisory Committees
we're established In communities
throughout the country.
Born So years ago in Mayes-
''le' South Carolina, DR.. Bethme
mas come to be recognized among
me leading educators in the United
States.
she was the founder, and is cur
'enlly the president. of Bethune-
.ookman College OF Daytona Tsach
'iur'ua' which has an average en-
'ol'ment Of 700 students and a ply
s''al plant valued at approximate
y $4,000. Her services were
made available to the government
through leave Of absence granted
by The college. N
ur. Bethune Is founder and pre-
s'uent OF the Southeastern Fedora
1 y, OF Colored women. past-presi-
uent OF the National Association
" Colored women; past-president
~ Tue National Association Of
'eacners In Colored Schools. vice
president OF the National Urban
league vice president OF the South
e c commission on Inter-racial
operation, and is prominently
.uc'ified with other educational.
''c'al' and inter-raclal groups.