Mary began working as a teacher in 1896 in Augustus, Georgia, at the Haines Normal and Industrial Institute. This was part of a mission that had been founded by Lucy Craft Laney, the daughter of former slaves.
Mary McLeod Bethune adopted many of the philosophies of Lucy Craft Laney. She believed that educating women and girls could improve the lives of African-Americans.
Mary McLeod Bethune was transferred to Sumter, South Carolina after a year, to work at the Kindell Institute.
In 1898 Mary McLeod married Albertus Bethune and became Mary McLeod Bethune.
Mary and Albertus moved to Savannah, Georgia for a year where she was employed as a social worker.
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After Mary and Albertus' son Albert was born they relocated to Palatka, Florida where a minister had persuaded them to take positions to run a mission school.
In 1907 Albertus abandoned Mary and Albert and in 1918 he died from tuberculosis.