Chapter 37

Summary

• Mary, a constant traveler between Florida and DC, who is part of the National Youth Administration (NYA) and had formed the National Council of Negro Women, encounters a porter who is astonished that she, a colored woman, is allowed to be on the Presidential Train.
• Mary and her NYA colleagues discuss their upcoming presentations aimed at discussing their areas of focus with the President. Mary is most concerned with obtaining special funding for the colored youth.
• Mary is overwhelmed by the grandness of the Roosevelts’ home, but upon stepping inside, she finds it to be inviting and home-like. The President receives everyone in a semi-formal attire, which aids in easing Mary's nerves.
• Mary is introduced to President Roosevelt and makes a presentation before the president. She presents her report describing the situation of impoverished and underprivileged Negro children and their struggles to access higher education due to lack of resources.
• Mary makes an impassioned argument for the dire situation of Negro youth in America, drawing attention to the significant impact of color-related prejudices, even for college-educated young Negro adults.
• She criticizes the current failure of the New Deal programs to uplift the status of citizens of color, and proposes that to effect real change, Negroes should take up leadership roles in these programs.
• Mary sternly presses the President to remember his promise of being the President for every American, and bids him to exhibit his love for the Negroes by actively helping them.
• Shaken by her fervor, report, and appeal, President Roosevelt promises Mary that he will do his best to assist her people.