In black and white

NOLIWE Rooks tells the story of American educator and philanthropist Mary McLeod Methune in her upcoming book A Passionate Mind In Relentless Pursuit set to hit the shelves on July 23.

Born in 1875, Mary is remembered to this day for her life-long passion for black women’s and girls’ right to education, integral to the larger struggle for freedom at the time.

Her contributions include starting a private school in Florida for African-American students, which later became the Bethune-Cookman University, as well as founding and becoming the president of several organisations that were dedicated to African-American women.

The activist passed away in 1955 of a heart attack. Her death was followed by tributes in newspapers around the US, honouring her legacy and achievements.

Born in 1963, author Noliwe, who is also the chair of African studies at Brown University, dedicates her work to race and gender impact and how they are influenced by popular culture and social history in the US. This is going to be her sixth book release, following works that tackled different angles of identity matters.