This is the challenging and inspired true story of a little girl who was determined to learn to read, and who went on to become a teacher, the founder of a college, and adviser to statesmen, and a great humanitarian. Mary McLeod Bethune was the fifteenth child of hard-working and God-fearing parents. She was the first of their children to be born free. Her ancestry was wholly of African origin, a point of pride throughout her life.

Mrs. Bethune worked untiringly to restore—through education—her people's faith in the magnificent heritage that is rightfully theirs. During the many years of trial and tribulation, she refused to give up her fondest dream—her own school for Negro children. And, as a shining monument to her hard work and faith, she has given to Negro youth the thriving institution of Bethune-Cookman College in Dayton Beach, Florida.

From the book