Introduction
Mary McLeod Bethune is one of the most famous and powerful African American woman during the twentieth century. Her leadership has been for years remained at the top of the rankings on the lists of historical and contemporary role models. After studying Northouse's Theory of Women and Leadership, some of the most unique qualities shown by Bethune demonstrated characteristics of a servant leader. Bethune has for year contributed to the equality of all mankind. Bethune was a politician, a visionary, and a well-educated African American woman leader who has for years been the most prominent and powerful in the twentieth century (Long, 2011). Bethune since childhood has showed leadership skills for resolving conflicts, organizing projects, and watched out for the needs of the human race. In this essay, the servant leadership of Bethune will be discussed.
Bethune as a Servant Leader
Dr. Bethune throughout her life has demonstrated leadership actions that showed characteristics of a servant leader. Servant leaders in their own capacity have the natural calling to serve humankind. This notion of serving others is always value based and deep rooted. Servant leaders have the calling to make a difference in the lives of others and pursue opportunities that impact the lives of those they are leading (Sipe and Frick, 2015). A servant leader is always ready to sacrifice their interests for those of others. Servant leadership is elusive, unless an individual has the natural desire to serve. Bethune’s spirituality and perceptive personality birthed her inner vision and yearning to serve that progressed throughout her life. The principle to serve others was evidenced in Bethune’s life, and schooling deepened her Christian faith to trusting as well as serving.
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Bethune served as a servant leader when she was invited to attend the Child Welfare Conference and National Commission on Child Welfare. She was also appointed to be a member of the Hoover Commission on Home Building and Home Ownership (Long, 2011). In all these positions, Bethune was able to serve people, and through her courage she was able to challenge racism and take on the responsibility of educating children, housing and feeding people. She also had the courage to approach well-wishers for support as well as challenge the president on matters affecting humankind. In addition, Bethune was an educator, a leader with determination and courage to make the world a better place.
By her example and own words, she demonstrated the importance of education, universal love, wisdom, and use of power to strive for gender and racial equality. Consequently, Bethune was a businesswoman who served as the president of Central Life Insurance Company of Tampa, Florida as well as a Trustee of the Afro American Life Insurance Company of Jacksonville, Florida (Long, 2011) . She also served people by writing in numerous newspaper articles and magazines in issues concerning the betterment of the lives of people. Lastly, Bethune established a foundation with the mission to award top students with scholarships, and sponsor the annual conference for women.
Conclusion
Servant leadership involves making sacrifices and risking lives for the betterment of humanity. They often put the lives of other before their very own needs. Bethune is a relevant example in the world today in that she used her civic-mind and knowledge to influence and inform on public policy. Bethune demonstrates that education that is coupled with imagination, wisdom; critical thinking, skill, and observation can produce a positive outcome and profoundly change the lives of people for the betterment of society (Sipe and Frick, 2015). The world needs more servant leaders like Bethune that will save humanity from racial divisions, economic woes, and political despair that is slowly battering optimism of that humankind has of a great nation.
References
Long, K. C. (2011). Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune: A Life Devoted to Service. In Forum on Public Policy Online (Vol. 2011, No. 3). Oxford Round Table. 406 West Florida Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801.
Sipe, J. W., & Frick, D. M. (2015). Seven pillars of servant leadership: Practicing the wisdom of leading by serving . Paulist Press.
