The Miami Times

Hundreds Pay Tribute To Dr. Bethune On Her 75th Birthday

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, who long ago overcame sex and race to become an educational leader of national importance, was honored on her 75th birthday Monday evening, July 10, 8:00 p.m. There to hear them were hundreds of men and women, Negro and White, from Daytona Beach and from all parts of the country.

Speaker after speaker offered congratulations, not so much for her having attained the age 75 as for the accomplishments over the years. They told how she came to Daytona Beach with a dollar and fifty cents, founded a school and built it into one of America's foremost Negro colleges, how she organized the National Council of Negro Women, how she served as adviser to President Roosevelt and President Truman.

When the speakers had finished Mrs. Bethune replied: "I am filled with the spirit of gratitude and humility . . . with the realization of what God is able to do with a life if you place it in His hands and trust Him with the outcome." She said her purpose in life "is to create love, not hate, in the hearts of people. What I have done," she declared, "was done because I believe in God and so firmly in Mary McLeod Bethune."

The principal speaker was Judge Anna M. Kross, magistrate of home term court in New York City, who reminded the student body of "the trials and tribulations" which accompanied the building up of the college. "I know at times Dr. Bethune must have become discouraged," she said, "because men and women are hard to convince of even worthy causes."

"The scene in America today," Mrs. Kross continued, "should give Mrs. Bethune great joy and comfort." She pointed to the progress made by the Negro race and predicted that even broader fields of opportunity would open up in the future.

The woman jurist, who is also a wife and mother, spoke out for equality, not only among races, but men and women. "Democracy can't be real," she said, "until there is a real partnership between men and women."

Turning to the world scene, Judge Kross declared "what we face is more than conflict of arms. It is a war of ideas." She urged that everyone help spread the democratic principle into every back yard.

Judge Kross reminded her listeners of the current million dollar fund raising campaign being conducted by the College and urged alumni and students to help. "Don't throw the burden to her to beg for the College," she said.

Rabbi Henry Okolica, pastor of Temple Israel, gave the meditations.

and Rev. Lee Nichols, pastor of the First Baptist Church, the occasion. Others paying tribute to Mrs. Bethune were Richard V. Moore, college president, Charlotte F. Clark, 73 dean of the College; John Dickerson, representing the alumni; J. Lucius Davis, student president; Mrs. Regina Chandler, Washington, treasurer of the National Council of Negro Women; Joseph Albright, Washington, assistant to the Administrator of the Veterans Administration; Mrs. Rosa Marie Beyon; Leroy Hacker, Maxwell W. Saxon, and D. E. Williams of the State Department of Education.

A gift of $2,500 was presented to Mrs. Bethune from the trustees, faculty, alumni and students, who sponsored the program.

Some of the many congratulatory telegrams sent to Dr. Bethune were read to the audience. The readers included: Pres. Truman, Eleanor Roosevelt, James A. Farley, Gen. George C. Marshall, Sen. Scott Lucas, the National Association of Manufacturers, Atty. Gen. McGrath, Justice Black, Helen Gahagan Douglas, Phillip Murray of the CIO, Gov. Warren of Florida and Gov. Warren of California, Claude Pepper, Gov. Mennen Williams of Michigan, Bijaya Pandit, Ambassador from India to the U. S. and others.

Mrs. Bethune wore an orchid presented by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Griffin and carried an old fashioned bouquet, a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Julius Davidson.