She organized Roosevelt’s “Black Cabinet”—an informal group of African American federal officials who met regularly to strategize and advise the President on civil rights. She pushed to end segregation in veteran rehabilitation centers. She fought to get Black women commissioned as officers in the Women’s Army Corps. She ensured African American colleges participated in the Civilian Pilot Training Program, helping train the first Black pilots.
She was also the only African American woman in the U.S. delegation that helped draft the United Nations charter in 1945.
Through it all, Mary never forgot where she came from. She carried a cane for “swank”—not because she needed it, but for effect. It had belonged to President Roosevelt, a gift from her dear friend Eleanor after FDR’s death.
When tourists visited Daytona Beach, Mary opened her school on Sundays, showing off her students’ accomplishments, hosting national speakers, and raising funds. She wanted the world to see what educated Black Americans could achieve.
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