Bestknown as an educator and early civil rights activist,Mary McLeod Bethune was the daughter of former slaves. After moving toWashington, D.C., in 1936, she organized and represented thousands of womenwith the National Council of Negro Women. She led the charge to change thesegregationist policies of local hospitals and concert halls, and she acted asa mentor to countless African American women in the District. Residents of allraces were brought together to honor Bethune’s birthday with some of the firstgames between the local Negro League team anda white semi-pro team. Historian Ida E. Jones explores the monumentallife of Mary McLeod Bethune as a leader, a crusader and a Washingtonian.