Celebrating Impact(3): Margaret Mitchell

Which of us has not heard of the thought-provoking iconic movie, Gone With The Wind (1939)? Despite the story being written way back in 1936, the book is still making its mark on society through new generations of avid readers. However, why am I featuring its famous White author in my Black History Month tributes? Simply because I was blown away to learn of her involvement in improving the lives of African Americans in her locality at a time when even looking at a person across the segregated colour divide could cost someone his life!

In an amazing article, written by Jearl Nix and Chara Haeussler Bohan, Reaching Across the Color Line: Margaret Mitchell and Benjamin Mays, an Uncommon Friendship, they showed how, in 1940, the son of former slaves, and new President of Morehouse College (Mays) realised the college was floundering and needed immediate help: "...he was faced with the difficult task of saving the institution from financial ruin."

But where to get the money from?

The Atlanta of the time was not kind to Black people. As the authors wrote: "In Atlanta, the color line was clearly drawn between black and white citizens. This color line not only kept blacks and whites apart physically, but it also prevented blacks from attaining educational opportunities, economic equality, healthcare services, and many other public amenities readily available to white citizens. Most people, black or white, did not cross the proverbial color line. Yet, in 1940, in the heart of the segregated South, one black citizen did reach across the color line, and what he found was a white fellow citizen willing to do the same."

A historically Black college and university, Morehouse was one of the few institutions in the South that was training Black medical and dental students at the time. t could not afford to stop. Enter Margaret Mitchell who had been recently rich, thanks to her blockbuster film. Her initial donation to the scholarship was $2,000, which helped to ensure that the College could continue to provide its students with a high-quality education. She pledged to continue donating money each year, and formally established the Morehouse College Scholarship in 1946. Even though her death three years later prevented her from fulfilling this pledge, her estate donated an additional $3,000 to the scholarship after her death.

Awarded to one student per year, the scholarship covered the full cost of tuition and fees, and was based on the good character of the applicants rather than scholastic aptitude. The deserving medical and dental students were also required to practice medicine in Georgia after their qualification.

Dr. Otis Smith, "the first African-American Board Certified Pediatrician to practice in the State of Georgia", ran out of funds while training, and through the Morehouse College President, Mitchell provided an anonymous scholarship to Smith, one of nearly 50 African-American medical students who have benefited from Mitchell’s ongoing contributions. He told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, in a 1998 article, that if it weren't for Margaret Mitchell, "I wouldn't be a doctor and I wouldn't be what I am today. She didn't want anybody to know that she was doing this, but she was concerned about blacks getting medical care." Dr Smith died in 2007 at the age of 81.

On the remarkable woman herself, Margaret Mitchell was born in 1900, in Atlanta, Georgia. A novelist and journalist, Mitchell was a voracious reader, who was particularly interested in historical fiction. She grew up hearing stories about the Civil War from her family and friends. Her novel Gone with the Wind, was her only major work, which took her 10 years to finish and was kept a secret from even her closest friends! It also won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1937.

Set in the American Civil War and Reconstruction eras, Gone with the Wind is a classic coming-of-age story that explores the themes of war, love, loss, survival, education, perseverance, and self-discovery. It tells the story of Scarlett O'Hara, a Southern belle who is determined to survive the war and rebuild her life. Gone with the Wind was an instant success, quickly becoming one of the most popular novels in American history. It has been translated into over 30 languages and sold over 30 million copies worldwide, as well as being adapted into the successful film. A gifted writer who created one of the most iconic and enduring novels in American literature, Mitchell died in a car accident in 1949.

Margaret Mitchell's decision to establish a scholarship for Black students was very significant because it came at a time when the college was struggling financially, against a segregated background of Black discrimination and disadvantage, and when many White people in the South were opposed to integrated education. Mitchell's actions showed her committment to racial equality, to the extent that she was willing to use her own resources to support Black students. The Morehouse College Scholarship is still active today, a testament to Mitchell's generosity and commitment to education, and a lasting legacy that continues to help students from Georgia achieve their dreams.

Apart from the Morehouse College Scholarships, Margaret Mitchell also established another fund (The Margaret Mitchell Scholarship Fund) to provide four scholarships for deserving young women from Georgia each year. The current value of the fund is about $1 million, providing just under $50,000 per year, divided between two students. Mitchell's commitment to education is also evident in her work, entirely in line with her causes.

It is easy to speak well-meaning words in times of need and crises, but it is our actions that distinguish who we are. To answer the call for help at such a time when it was even dangerous for a woman to do so, takes courage, guts and genuine care for others, for which she deserves to be celebrated, not least for the huge difference her money help to make to the health and wellbeing of the communities those doctors served.

Sources: Wikipedia/www.legacy.com/scholarworks.gsu.edu/ www.georgiaencyclopedia.org

Tribute #2- Marcus Rashford

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