Chapter 15

Summary

• The chapter is set in Washington D.C. on November 25, 1930, and is narrated by Mary Bethune who is preparing to leave the Whitelaw hotel after meeting the First Lady of New York.
• Mary considers the possibility of working with Eleanor Roosevelt, despite their political differences. Mary respects Mrs. Roosevelt's dedication to education, youth, women's rights and charitable work.
• Mary recalls a terrifying incident from nine years prior when the KKK threatened to attack the Bethune-Cookman College campus, where Mary served as president.
• The campus groundskeeper, Mr. Robinson, alerted Mary of the impending danger and took measures to protect the property.
• Mary focused on ensuring the safety of her students and staff. She held meetings to calm everyone and prepared them for the worst outcome.
• Despite offering her staff the option to leave, ten teachers chose to stand beside Mary as the KKK marched across the campus carrying a sign that stated "White Supremacy".
• The college community began singing gospel hymns in defiance, causing the Klan to leave the campus without committing any acts of violence.
• Mary reflects on the present where the KKK continues to enact violence and wonders if she can work alongside Mrs. Roosevelt given that the KKK members were also Democrats.
• The chapter ends with Mary still contemplating this dilemma and deciding to continue praying over it.