Chapter 40

Summary

• The chapter is set on August 7, 1936, in Washington, D.C., and it centers around Mary McLeod Bethune welcoming several gentlemen to her newly purchased Victorian townhouse. The house serves as the headquarters for the National Council of Negro Women.
• During the gathering, Robert Weaver and Eugene Kinckle Jones show their surprise at how quickly Bethune has made progress, with the establishment of the National Council of Negro Women and her directorship at the National Youth Administration's (NYA) Division of Negro Affairs.
• At the gathering, Mary proposes that they use their influential positions to speak as a unified voice for the advancement of African American issues within the government.
• Despite skepticism from the members about their potential impact as well as concerns about being used by President Roosevelt for political gain, Mary insists on the power of their collective efforts. She details her accomplishments within the NYA, demonstrating their potential influence.
• Mary announces her intention to support Roosevelt, a Democrat, for the first time in her life. She encourages the others to do the same and plans to persuade many African Americans to switch their party affiliation from Republican to Democrat because of Roosevelt's New Deal policies.
• She suggests regular meetings for the group to discuss and plan their strategies for advancement, to which the members gradually agree.
• There is disagreement about what to call their group, with Robert objecting to the term "Black Cabinet." Mary suggests the name "Federal Council of Negro Affairs".