Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: U-V, 1932-1957. A-71, folder 346. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

none of the disappointments and heartaches that beat the path of such pioneers as yourself. Sincerely Ruth Van Warden

[upside down at the bottom of the page] CT student [l.?] file

inportant - Ruth Van Warden [a?] lifer. [?] in charge of Library

October 2, 1932

Dear Dr. Van Waters

Miss Mac Kermon having told us you were displeased with the recent conduct of West Wing, I for one, wish to apologize althouth I have never knowingly broken a rule. I would like to make a suggestion, if I may. I believe if the girls did not break their line in the dining room, there would be less confusion there. As it is, three or four girls who would be seated at the first table, leave the line to go to the third or fourth table and this confuses the others.

Respectfully yours, Frances Vermette West Wing

[n.d.] Dear Dr. Van Waters,

Please excuse the fact that I am writing to you in pencil, but as you know my fingers are not entirely healed and I have not been able to master a pen as yet.

I was talking to Miss Ernest the other day. She, as well as the other officers, have been trying to help me master my feelings; in order to prevent me from causing any more damage than I allready have. I told her just how I felt about a lot of things and she felt that you might feel better if you knew of them and so I asked if they would let me write. I had thought of it before, but was not sure whether or

[right-hand side of the page] 2

not it would be permissable.

As you know, I was one of the girls who signed the pledge which was presented to you. When you left I tried hard to keep that pledge. I have not been perfect, but I have improved immensly. I have never explained just how I felt to you before, but I am going to try now.

When I came to you, I was hurt, deeply hurt and I wanted to hurt everyone else. I would not let myseld make friends or improve, because I was to busy feeling sorry for myself. I did not want to see my faults or to improve them, and if there had been anyone but you in charge here, I probably never would have.

I did not realize untill I saw, composed and in print, all the things that I have done; just how they must appear to someone else. Up untill now, they have never hurt anyone except myself. I can't tell you how I felt when I heard that they were among the things

3

which they held against you. It did something to me inside. It made me see the other fellows point of view. I feel sure that there will never be a repeat performance of my shamefull actions.

It is a late date to say this I know, but I would give anything, do anything, even more time; if I could only make those people realize how I feel.

You took me, picked me up out of the gutter and showed me the way to decent living. I was ungratefull, but I am paying now. I only hope and pray that God will bring you back to us: so that I can prove to you the words I have written. I am ashamed of my record, but if it would help to undo the wrong I have helped to cause I would shout it from the roof of the State House for all the world to hear.

I only wish that I were in a position to be there beside you to explain to

those people the destruction I have caused during my stay here and the change I now feel I am making slow but sure.

I feel very sorry for Mr McDowell and his asociates who in their ignorance of facts have unwittingly despaired even temporarily, this reformatory of such a person as you.

Others would simply have kept on punishing me and adding to my grudge against mankind and only God can say what a mess my life might have been had it not been you to whom I was sent.

You have saved my life in sacrificing your own and for that:- I remain forever gratefull to you.