The Phoenix index., 1941-07-12


of her own students by the daunt-
less faith in her mission, her own
integrity, and her seeming unwill-
ingness to take no for an an
syVei.
She gave to her students an
abiding belief in themselves and
their possibilities; she gave to their
parents the courage to drive anead
Though knowledge and hard work;
she gave to her white and colored
friends all over the nation deep
er insight into the hopes asplra-
tions, and possibilities of Negro
youth.
WINS MANY FRIENDS
Motivated by such forces, her
striking personality won friends
and followers, and adherents in
every walk Of life. She rose to
the leadership of such organiza-
tlons as the National Council OF
Negro Women, the National Urban
League, the Commission on Inter-
racial Cooperation, and the Asso-
citation for the Study of Negro
Life and History. She was chosen
few years ago by Ida NJ. Tar
bell as one of the fifty greatest
women. Recognition of her con-
tribution to Negro life is represent
ed by such awards as the Spin
garn Medal, the Frances A. Drex-
el Award, and special citation by
the State of South Carolina.
This leadership was recognized
BY the President of the United
States when he found it necessary
to set up the National Youth Ad-
ministration. Among other out
standing figures in American life
Mary Mcleod Bethune was ap.
pointed to the National Advisory
Committee to assist the President
in formulating the policies Of that
Federal agency. Her interest was
SO intense and her contribution so
specific that she was asked to
serve as the Director of a Division
Of Negro Affairs in order to pro-
mote the inteoration Of Negro
youth into all phases of the pro
gram of the National Youth Ao-
nlinistration.
ACCEPTS ASSIGNMENT
She was reluctant to leave what
she felt was her appointed task at
Daytona Beach, but it was made
plain to her that this was an even
! larger service and that it would
allow her to carry out her ideals
among Negro people on an even
larger scale. AT the personal re-
! guest Of the President himself, she
accepted the assignment. Under
Ter direction, some fifty thousand
Young Negro men and women have
| felt the beneficent influence of the
National Youth Administration
program Through these channels
she was able to promote the edu~
cation the work experience, and
the morale of Negro youth.
This program came at the depth
Of an economic depression when
TIE way was exceedingly dark for
young, Negro people They have
seen in this program and the lead
ership of Mary Mcleod Bethune
a raw Of light on the horizon that
has made it possible for manv OF
them to rise ont of despair INTO
achievement.
The democratic wav of life Is
facing its most severe challenge
| To meet the powerful dlsruptlVe
forces, the need of te hour is Tor
stamina and morale on the pare OF
the people and an unassailable ma
tional unity There are some thlr'
teen million Negroes in this coun-
try. representing our largest MI
roritv group, and it IS essential
that thev possess a deep belief IN
| our wav Of life and the sense OF
| oneness with all other racial and
national groups that make up the
nat'on.
There are subversive forces thai
viii seek to pull this large group
apart from the entire hodv. there
are other forces that alreadv de-
rrnss their morale. Certainly al
| this critical iuncture the nation
could well turn to the irresistible
forces thnt have mOtivated the life
of Marv Mel cod Bethune-a hun
0er for KNOWLEDGE and service. un-
falterin% courage, sense Of one
reSs of ALI human beings. and &
deep and abidino faith IN the ul-
tinoate victory Of the right