Mary McLeod Bethune, a child of former slaves, became a teacher because she loved learning and wanted all African American children to have an education. She eventually started her own school, which became Bethune-Cookman College, and she served as its president. She was the first African American woman to start a college for black students and she was the first African American woman to be president of a college. She was also an activist for civil rights. She was the first African American woman to be involved in the White House, assisting four different presidents. She became the first African American and the first woman to have a memorial in Washington DC. This book tells her story and has a glossary, further reading list, web sites, and a timeline. ( )