Schlesinger Library

March 12, 1949 Box 99 Framingham, Mass

To Mr. La Rue Brown and Friends of Framingham

I am sending you this letter of thanks to tell you in my own simple way how grateful we students are to each and every one of you Friends of Framingham, for your great work in support of our Beloved Dr. Van Waters.

You will never know our great loss, having our Dr. Van Waters away from us going on two full months.

Her suffering was our suffering, her heartach all ours, for we felt every word deep in the depths of our hearts.

But you Friends of Framingham never missed a day, you were there as our representatives strong. We could not be there to help lessen the burden that was so plain to be heard and seen.

But believe us sincerely we are very grateful and I cannot express in words of writing how thankful we students are to all of you.

Yesterday when word was received here that our Dr. Van Waters was returned to us, a group of us went to the small chapel to give a prayer of Thanks. It had been snowing and the light shone on one of the panes of the stained glass window in the chapel. It is a beautiful painting of Our Lord giving his Blessing to children. It meant to shine that day because to me it was a symbol of our beloved Doctor's return and how she watches over every one of us no matter the creed or color. We here are her children, young and old alike.

In our humble prayers at night we will never forget the great work you all have done for the Women of Framingham, in helping return us to our Beloved Dr. Van Waters.

My God Bless Each and Every one of you and give you the health and strength to carry on our great work.

We are the students of Framingham

M.N

C O P Y [written in pencil] June 7, 1949[written in pencil]

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What does the Com. of Correction of Massachussetts want? Every woman placed in a penal Institution (such as this) to grow so bitter and hate-ful that the spark of good in each one will never kindle again.

He has taken away priviledges I will speak of just one of the many Day Work. So many of us depended on it so that when we were released we not only achieved experiences by our work but were able to go forth into society feeling that we could care for ourselves and ones near and dear to us without depending on aid from no one.

Here at Framingham we have wonderful Spiritual Guidance. Not a Woman here who has a problem to be taken care of fails to go to her Spiritual Advisor.

Sir: we have four (4) Services here on Sunday each so beautiful in its own way.

Since our Beloved Supt return she has not thought of herself of her every tiring days of the hearing, she has crossed the State of Mass from the smallest town to the largest City, make-ing speeches in behalf of the Women of Framingham Trying to get help and aid for them so less fortunate than others.

Do you wonder why? Mr. Hepner that we adore the ground she walks on.

I speak not for just myself but every Student and Staff member here.

I have been at Framinghamfourteen months (14). When admitted I was a mental and physical piece of humanity. I cared not whether I lived or died.

A great change has come over me, and I write this with all sincerity.

I have found at Framingham more kindness, understanding faith, and above all trust in human being.

No matter the color or Creed we to Dr. Van Waters are all human beings and she does all in her power to show us how we can be right and above all teaches us to have self confidence in ourselves, which before entering here we lose, because we do not care.

Mr. Hepner upon my release from Framingham I want to do for others what these people here have done for me.

One does not need a brilliant education, to give a soothing hand to the sick of mind or body, a word of advice for one in need, a shoulder to lean on so much less fortunate than ourselves. Understanding for those who fell by the wayside. May God Bless Dr. Van Waters and each and every member of her Staff and to you Dr. Hepner for being so kind and understanding and printing such a wonderful story. We the Students of Framingham say to you in our own humble way May God's blessings and Gifts shower upon you and yourse and always keep you

Our Friend of Framingham Thanking you Sincerely

Margaret Newton

[right hand side]

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her best to help us.

Words will not express the good she does up here in N. Wing and I think it would be very nice if we gave her something to show our appreciation.

As you know Dr Van Waters some of the Students do not have friends so that is why I come to you to ask your aid in helping me.

Dr Van Waters to get on the funny side of things the "Whale Cast" probably will need flowers if our show is not a success - As you know Miss Lee better than we do, so I think you will understand.

Dr Van Waters you must of been very proud yesterday as you sat among the Heads of the "Student Body."

Each Student looked so lovely and spoke so clear, and above all they got up and spoke with

[continued on left hand side]

confidence,

The men who came to the Confrence must of left Framingham with a great impression on their minds for they saw with their own eyes & heard with their own ears the great work you are doing here for the Women of Framingham

Dr Van Waters yor yourself looked very lovely sitting there - and I was very sorry that I could not (here) hear Mr Austin McCormick speak

You & you alone have put Framingham in the eyes of the people

God Bless you Always & Keep you my Friend

Margaret Newton N. Wing

P.S I have yet to receive my telegram

Gov Dener - I am a mother of 4 small children who at this present time are being cared for by the City of Boston Their Dad has been out of work for quite some time.

Why I state this to you Sir: Is to show you how much I could of benefitted by day Work if we Women here had not lost that priviledge taken away from us by the present Com of Correction

My story is similar to every woman here, they want to leave here independent, and not look for pity & charity of others.

Is it not hard enough Gov Dever to know that one has done wrong and is more than willing to mend their way of life.

The State does not provide for the Woman Offender after she has paid her debt to society which 9 out of 10 cases is so very severe - the price justice asks.

Gov Dever if more folks would open both their minds and hearts to the Women of Framingham I can guarantee you sir: that there would be less women before the Courts of Mass

Dr Van Waters to each and everyone of us is the Grandest person that God ever put on the face of this Earth. The battle to rebuild these broken lives gets staggering at times and she needs all the help and support that she can receive so that her fight for which she fought so gallantly a few months past will not be in vain.

Gov Dever I make this plead to you, for I know that you are a great Chrisitan & provider of truth & rightness

Please help Dr Van Watersall you can in bringing Framingham the priviledge of restoring us to Day Work for which we all are so badly in need of.

From the Student Body I write this God Bless you & Keep you Forever Our Friend of Framingham

M. Newton

Tip you have always been a man of understanding and even as a boy a leader for right. Father Geswell always spoke of you as a young hero.

That is why I write you this letter in Gods name will you please do all in your power to help Dr Van Waters and her staff return to us Women at Framingham - Day Work and other things that were taken away.

Dr Van Waters fought a long fight and her suffering was our suffering and we always thank Almighty God that Gov Dever picked such fine folks to make the decision of her return to us here.

So please Tip will you do all in your power, when the Bill concerning the Women of Framingham ^{comes up} to have it pass.

In Closing I will Say - God Bless You & Your Family and Keep You Always our Friend of Framingham

Mrs Margaret Newton Box 99 Framingham, Mass