Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: N, 1950-1951. A-71, folder 328. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

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Mother Lee as you spoke to the Audience last evening, I had to smile. Memories Again crossing my mind of N Wing on Sunday Morning at 6.30 A.M Your Melodious Voice saying - "Are you going to Mass" If the answer be no

Well I know the answer very much, we all finished dressing going along the corridor all on our way to Chapel.

Remember Mother Lee So to all the Students of the Cast North Wing & your Grade Officer who will do all that is humanly possible to help each & every one of you I say.

Thanks for a Swell Show & may Almighty God Help & Protect each & every one of you God Love & Bless You All

Margaret Newton former Student of North Wing

Class of 1948-1949

The Commonwealth Massachusetts

Department of Correction Reformatory for Women Framingham, Mass

Miriam Van Waters Superintendent

March 16, 1950

Mr. LaRue Brown 78 Revere Street Boston, Massachussets

Dear Mr. Brown:

I am enclosing an article written by one of the students on the day of the Hearing, in which I think you would be interested.

Sincerely,

Miriam

Miriam Van Waters Superintendent

Framingham vs State House

All day yesterday & long into the evening the snow fell in abundance mounting higher & higher by the seconds. Radio Broadcast gave out mornings of the Highway being in terrible condition, all possible not to venture out The date of this is Monday March 13th 1950

As I laid in my hospital bed thismorning watching the rising sun come over the hills in the distance, what a beautiful picture it made - Its glow shone on every window into every room of the Womens Reformatory at Framingham

On my windowsill is a small blanket of snow the sun is shining fondly upon us - Reflecting its brilliance on the hugs blanket of snow that surrounds this dust - Which I call the "Village all our own" - As far as the human eye can see little diamonds sparlking from window sill to the roads beyond the Sun is Warm, its glow surrounding the whole Dust - Is friendly - Kindness dwells in each room from the warmth of Almighty God in Heaven gift to all - the Sun - To me today as I write these words it is 6.30AM on March 14 - 195-

The Rising of Sun encasing the Dust in its brilliance beaty stands for a Symbol to me - It could not stay hidden in the clouds on a day like today May its warm Friendly manner reach the hearts of those folks who are going to fill Gardner Auditorium in the State House in Boston Mass & let them not look at us Women as Criminals but Human bengs who are paying there debt to justice

I pause for a moment in writing my thoughts on paper. To get on my bended knees Asking Almighty God the father of us all. For no matter the color, the Race or the Creed - We all have a God in Heaven. I will tell you my prayer as I spoke them aloud to God. Dear Father in Heaven Creator of Us all. Kindly protect and lessen the burden of Dr M Van Waters Supt of this Inst. Heavy Cross placed upon her tiny shoulders. Today is a trying day in her life - the turning point of privililedges for 300 students placed under her care

Almighty God The Blessed Virgin Mary and all the Saints in Heaven - please hear my humble Prayer and let the Warmth of the glowing sun render the hearts of those folks, of the opposition today & let them once again return to Framingham the right for the Students to Day Work & all see fit that Indenture will be returned. Thank you Dear Father in Heaven for returning to me my health & giving to me a friend - One so kind & Dear - One who never thinks of herself - just always the comfort & peace of mind of all her Woman placed in her care. You have given to us a Foster Mother whom I think again Dear God for her company & please again I plead take care of her today & when she returns to us this evening may the goodness of her soul come shining in her eyes to say we have had a fine day - they too are our friends.

To those who dont know what these words I have written mean. I shall give a brief outline of it all.

March 19 1900 North Wing

CB

Dear Dr Van Waters As I write this letter to you my Heart Bleeds - The reason I know that I have caused you many heartaches & also placed upon your tiny head a Crown of Thorns. As each thorn pierced your tender brow - its blood pooled a casement around my heart cementing each thorn that hurt, piercing deeply, my heart which it will continue to do for some time to come According to teachings - of all religions "Almighty God Does all things for a Purpose For some such as myself it