Mary McLeod Bethune was a prominent educator, civil rights leader, and government official in the early part of the twentieth century. She spent her life working to give African American women the tools and opportunity to improve their lives. Bethune was a pioneer in the education of African American children, especially girls. She helped found the Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona, Florida. Bethune also was an effective organizer and civil rights leader. She was one of the founders of the National Council of Negro Women, an important civil rights organization. Toward the end of her career, Bethune moved into government service. She worked for an agency called the National Youth Administration during the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945). She became close friends with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) in the process. At every stage of her career, Bethune worked tirelessly to improve the welfare of the African American community.