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October 10, 1969

Mr. John H. Johnson, President
Johnson Publication
1820 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60616

Dear Mr. Johnson:

As a member of the National Development Committee for the Mary Holmes College Fund Development Campaign, I am wrigting to enlist your participation.

Mary Holmes College began as a high school for Black women in Jackson, Mississippi in 1892. The school eventually moved to its present site in West Point, Mississippi where it subsequently became a co-educational Junior College. Beginning with the fallter term the college moved into its third year, thus becoming a four-year liberal arts institution.

As one of the member colleges of the National Board of Missions of the United Presbyterian Church, Mary Holmes has functioned without the benefit of its own Board of Trustees. Also, it has functioned without the benefit of its own independent base for funding. Nevertheless, in 1965 the college established a structure which led to its present role as sponsor of ten Headstart centers that are located throughout the state of Mississippi. The college has also developed an adult literacy program which serves the residents of Marks, Mississippi, developed a catfish farming cooperative and through the Clay County Community Development Program, has established a day care center, tutorial services and a woodwork cooperative program. The June issue of Ebony Mgazine reported on the activities of the Clay County Community Development Program.