<P> Mary Jane McLeod Bethune ( born Mary Jane McLeod ; July 10 , 1875 -- May 18 , 1955 ) was an American educator , stateswoman , philanthropist , humanitarian and civil rights activist best known for starting a private school for African - American students in Daytona Beach , Florida . She attracted donations of time and money , and developed the academic school as a college . It later continued to develop as Bethune - Cookman University . She also was appointed as a national adviser to president Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of what was known as his Black Cabinet . She was known as `` The First Lady of The Struggle '' because of her commitment to gain better lives for African Americans . </P>
who was the black cabinet member who went on to play an important role in the civil rights movement
Mary Jane McLeod Bethune