(seq. 16)

C O P Y

June 7th, 1949
Box 99
Framingham
Mass.

Dar Mr. Hepner

I have just finished reading your article "Ordeal in Massachusetts"
published in Harpers Magazine .

To me the reading meant a great deal - for each word and person
at Framingham a few months past.

I write this letter to you as a "student". I will not use the
word inmate - for us all women confined here are known as Students.

Mr. Hepner when our Beloved Supt. Dr Van Waters was dismissed
by the Co. of Correction of Mass I cannot express in words of writing
the sorrow and loss each and every one of us felt. If you had
been in our Chapel the evening Assembly was called and Dr. Van Waters
stood on the platform and told us all she was dismissed.

We women here Young and Old alike swelled with tears for they
came straight from the heart, we were not ashamed to cry, for we knew
that there stood the woman small in statue, but who had a heart so
big, and one who had faith and trust in every woman placed in her
care.

Those days of the hearing I will never forget for every word
spoken to Dr. Van Waters and her Staff members was felt by all here.
If we could of only been able to help her carry the burden we would
of done it with open arms.

I am a woman 55 yrs of age - came from a good family - drink was
my downfall. I tell you this because I want you to feel just what I
am trying to express in words of writing.

Our Members of Staff were so severely crucified and if you had
ever the occasion to meet these women you would see what a great injustice
was done.

These Members that were hurt so are living examples of what a
good true Woman really is. Mr. Hepner I do hope and pray that some
day in the near future you will be able to come to Framingham and see
for yourself just how we do live.

It is not enough for a Woman to be confined, away from the ones
she loves so dear, and above all marked by the State. In each and
every one of us placed here there is good, and Dr. Van Waters knows
that, and that is what she so gallantly stood so many days and fought for.