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Pre-Writing Scaffold
Shanay Y. Howard
School of Education, Liberty University
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Mary Mcleod Bethune
Annotated Journal Articles on Mary Mcleod Bethune
Long, K.C. (2011). Dr. Mary Mcleod Bethune: A life devoted to service. Forum on Public
Policy Online, 2011(3)
Long (2011) gives a detailed summary of the life of Dr. Mary Mcleod Bethune. Her
influence on education, social justice and overall church ministry is invaluable. Long
states and shows us, throughout the article, Bethune was not just an educator she was
equally a social visionary and a politician. Her true mission was to bring Christ to
Africans in America and to educator African American women and children. Her
experience as a slave and a woman of color, pushed her to launch her school for girls and
live our her mission. Long (2011) tells us that leaders use the life and practices of Dr.
Mary Mcleod Bethune to model servant leadership. One powerful statement made by
Bethune was “ No matter how deep my hurt, I always smiled. I refused to be discouraged,
for neither God not man can use a discouraged person” ( Long, 2011). This was
Bethune’s response when she was our raising money for her school and the building. A
powerful and motivational statement, in deed! It is with this level of perserverance, that
Bethune has left a legacy for all educators to follow. In her educational philosophy,
servant leadership and Christianity were interwoven into all that was taught and visably
seen through the students of her school. It is also seen today in modern education, by
those who study her philosophy or even attend one of her institutinos such as Bethune
Cookman College. Like Rebecca Protten was to the slaves and Africans in Africa , Mary
Mcleod Bethune was to the African americans in America. They both were determined to
teach and educate through leading people to Christ ( Smith, 2020, p. 55-56).
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McCluskey, A.T. (1989). Mary Mcleod Bethune and the education of black girls. Sex Roles, 21,
(1-2) 113-126. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00289731
McCluskey (1989) gives a full summary of Mary Mcleod Bethune’s life as an educator
and her mission to educate Black girls. Bethune was a visionary who was highly focused
who understood the limitations of the African American race and, in particular, the
female gender as African Americans. She used her understanding of those limitations to
educate and truly pursue the mission of educating African Americans, in a time, that was
very difficult and filled with racial oppression ( McCluskey, 1989). The post
reconstruction South, placed African American women in particular roles, it was Bethune
who forged her own agendea for Black women and helped them find their identity
(McCluskey, 1989). Bethune believed that education was the key for the advancement of
the gender of women. McCluskey (1989) reminds us, in the aricle, that Bethune “made
education the centerpiece in her lifelong work to achieve raciel and gender equality.”
Bethune had a true belief in education and understood its transformative power for the
African American race. This was ingrained in black people since slavery ( McCluskey,
1989).
Bethune’s educational philosophy is seen on full display through her institution and, in
particular, the Moody Bible Institute( McCluskey, 1989). Her model of heart, head and
hand is the central focus of the educational philosophy. Bethune’s educational philosophy
connects to the scripture in James that says , “If a brother or sister is naked and destitute
of daily food,F16andFone of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,”
but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, whatdoes
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itFprofit?F17Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (King James Bible,
1769/n.d., James 2:15-16). Bethune’s educational philosophy leads students not just learn
but to be active in their educational process and put what is leanred into action.
Johnson-Miller, B. (2006). Mary Mcleod Bethune: Black educational ministry leader of the early
20th century. Christian Education, 3(2), 330-342.
Johnson- Miller (2006) describes the life of Mary Mcleod Bethune’s life as the epitome
of the educational philosophy. Bethune’s experiences growing up through adulthood and
developing her faith, led to her increased educational philosophy over the years. From
experience, she knew what was needed to educate African Americans particularly
women. According to Johnson-Miller (2006), “ Mary Bethune promoted education for
the whole person, and training the heart according to the principles of Christian was
central to training of minds and hands.” Bethune modeled experiential learning and her
philosophy of education centered around spiritual life and direct life application
( Johnson- Miller, 2006). Head, heart and hands were an other central focus explaining
the philosophy of Mary Mcleod Bethune. Connecting her life to Christ, was the main
influence of Bethune’s educational philosophy and development of curriculum for her
students and those she came in contact with.
The life of an African American during the time when Bethune, was making such strides
in education cannot be taken lightly. In a time of racial oppression, Bethune still pushed
to fulfill the call on her life and mission (Johnson-Miller, 2006). Her childhood also
played a major role in how Bethune navigated her life as an adult. It was all connected.
As told by Johnson-Miller (2006), in the article, Bethune became the most influential
black women of her times in the United States. Her drive is a force that can never be
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forgotten and is often mentioned with some of the greatest names in African American
education such as WEB Dubios and Booker T Washington. To quote her in her own
work, Bethune explains the Black woman stood side by side with that of their male
counterparts in a time when often overlooked ( Bethune, 2001). She was the true essence
of this statement.
Synthesis of Articles on Mary Mcleod Bethune
The three articles above connect the central theme of the educational philosophy of Mary
Mcleod Bethune: head, heart and hand. The educational philosophy of Bethune connects back to
Christianity and service always ( Long, 2011; McCluksey, 1989; Johnson- Miller, 2006). The
focus on head, heart and hand is central to theme of Bethune’s philosophy as well and is clearly
explained in all three articles. Bethune, lived a life, that contributed to her educational
philosophy and how she interacted with her students in education ( Long, 2011; McCluksey,
1989; Johnson- Miller, 2006). As stated by Johnson-Miller( 2006), “her life epitomized her
philosophy.” Living a life devoted to your eduational philosophy seems to be the best way to
approach education. It can be seen that, by life experience, students can achieve life transforming
education and become the students they are truly destined to be ( McCluskey, 1989; Johnson-
Miller, 2006). Bethune’s philosophy of education can be connected to Augustine’s philosophy of
education , where both faith and reason were required for true learning ( Smith, 2020, p.14).
Preliminary Thesis Statement: Mary Mcleod Bethune
Bethune’s education philosophy provides an example for modern educators, at all levels,
who wish to develop “whole’ students with a foundation in character development and purpose.
Head, heart and hand philosophy is more than just a focus on Christian education. It is a directive
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to all students and educators on how to navigate not only education but life. Leading from head,
heart and hand will guide students to developing into “whole’ and well-rounded students.
The Progressive Era and the education of African American students
Annotated Journal Articles on the Progressive Era and the education of African Americans
Franklin, J. (1999). Blacks and the progressive movement: Emergence of a new synthesis. OAH
Magazine of History,13(3), 20-23.
Blacks in the progressive era had a hard time defining roles when the era generally
benefited white men ( Franklin, 1999). As the author explains, in the article, blacks were
only a marginal portion of the progressive era and the struggle for social change
(Franklin, 1999). This effected the education of African American students. If the
African American men were marginalized, it can easily be spectualated that African
American women had little to no place in the movement. Women however did, provide
vital energy and leadership that fueled reform during the progressive era ( Franklin,1999).
Black progressives wanted to achieve a greater sense of purpose and community during
this time (Franklin, 1999). The change that was sought, was undertaken with the black
church being the center of the push. It was the most powerful social institution in the
black community and took on an even great role during the Progressive era ( Franklin,
1999). Franklin ( 1999) paints a picture for the reader on what being Black during the
progressive era looked like regardless of male or female. Additionally, we can deduce
from this article, because of the role of Blacks during this era, educating students was not
easy and almost near impossible due to the lack of support and reform.
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Johanningmeier, E.V. (2006). Public education, educational research and the nations’s agenda
during the progressive era. American Educational History Journal, 33(1), 97-106.
Johanningmeier (2006) gives us details concerning the universal education in the public
education system. He analyzes and gives us a lot of research of the system that has been
critized and analyzed to confirm it is a system that teaches all children and meets their
needs. Johnanningmeir (2006) states from the Progressive era , “ education as a field of
study now found in universities began to emerge in the first years in this era.” During the
progressive era, the public school system was said to be a system that was suppose to
ameliorate social ills ( Johanningmeier, 2006). It is explained, in this article, that the
modern public school system was birthed durin this era. The public school was to sastify
new social obligations in additional to serve new and different populations
(Johanningmeier, 2006). The progressive era centered on the education of children and
their future purpose. Johannigmeier (2006), gives us deep research surrounding the
establishment of the public system and those who critiqued and studied its foundation.
The author says each period in education represents a changed drumbeat. A very fitting
description as the “main song” was to ensure the education of the children.
Kridel, C. (2020). Black progressive educators of the 1940s: An overlooked chapter of
progressivism in Amercan education. Kappa Delta Pi Record, 56(3), 105-111.
https://doi.org/10.1080/00228958.2020.1770002
Kridel (2020) gives us, what many writers of this time have stated, that during the
progressive era, black education and educators were overlooked and somewhat forgotten
(Kridel, 2020). Kridel also gives some light into the Secondary School study that was for
black educators and its children and was apart of the progressive era. Often, we have seen
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and heard the progressive era mainly focused on rich white children but this study
showed us differently ( Kridel, 2020). African American teachers had to combat social
inequality, inadequate funding and blatant racism all while pushing to teach their students
(Kridel, 2020). Progressive education can be defined by what educators did to make sure
their students grew effectively and matured beautifully , additionally where individulas
had the courageous willingness to examine critically educational procedures ( Kridle,
2020). The curriculum of the African American study was backwards and rigid which
was attributed to the mentality had by the educators of taking what the white folks take
even if its of little value to them and even less to the Blacks ( Kridle, 2020). Kridle
(2020) breaks down the progressive era structure of education by explaning what students
learned in core classes, teacher pupil planning, and student evaluation. Progressive
educators had that courageous willingness to take the next step towards pushing
curriculum to hopefully result in their students developmenting in to the best version of
themselves.
This connects to John Dewey and how he started the revolution of the American
educational system ( Kridle, 2020). Dewey held education in a high regard and conceived
it as a sum of a whole life experience ( Kridle, 2020; Smith, 2020, p.146).
Synthesis of Articles on the Progressive Era and the education of African Americans
The central theme of the Progressive era when it comes to the education of African
americans is seen as the population being overlooked, ill served and neglected (Franklin, 1999;
Johanningmeier, 2006; Kridle, 2020). All three articles discuss the progressive era and its
purpose and goals but ultimately gave light to how African Americans had to navigate social
inequlity and racism to fulfill their goals for their students. The progressive era also centered
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abround the devleopment of children. Although critized ultimately for its focus on the rich white
race (Kridle,2020), there was an overall focus, as seen in these articles, a push for new social and
overall development of all children. The progressive era navigated the times as launching what
we now call the modern public school system. While its focus was on the education of all, there
were some inequities seen in funding, race and overall curriculum (Franklin, 1999;
Johanningmeier, 2006).
Preliminary Thesis Statement: Progressive Era and the education of African Americans
The progressive era for African Americans was one that has been discussed by
researchers and writers as being one where they were overlooked. Due to the time period, this is
no shock. However, the progressive era gave way to the birth and push of great African
American leaders that pushed African Americans and their students during a time, where they
could have been easily been forgotten.
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References
Bethune, M. M. (2001). The sacrifices and achievements of African-American women. The
Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, 32, 35–35. https://doi.org/10.2307/2678758
King James Bible. (n.d.). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/
(Original work published 1769).
Smith, S.J. (2020). Windows into the history & philosophy of education. Kendall Hurt
Publishing Company.
