Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: B, 1943-1944. A-71, folder 274. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

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I think the opthalmologist would turn her down because of her vision, and in the second place she has some albuminuria, if this finding is born out by another analysis. In the third place, I should feel that she was a psychoneurotic and not at all the sort of person the WAACs would desire. My diagnosis would be hysteria and severe myopia.

I should imagine she would be much better off in a sheltered institutional set up. She is probably completely incapable of taking up a competitive existence.

Sincerely yours,

Madelaine Brown

Madelaine R. Brown, M.D.

MRB:AL

3/23/43

Dear Dr. Van Waters:

Thank you very much for your note re. Major Bloomberg. I would be very happy to have the time of this interview left entire- ly at your convenience. Whatever time you set I can be available, as the State owes me 53 1/2 hours over-time as I worked 2 weeks without pay according to

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[Mis?] [Groew?]. I know how full your schedule is, and so I would rather you set the time. Any day of the week. If you would let me know, I could phone you for the appointment, but it would perhaps be better if you or Miss Kelley did as he may not be there on the day you give me and if you called you could

-3sug gest alternate dates where as I wouldn't have the information at hand to do so.

Also, Dr. Van Waters, I owe you 4 hrs. time from last week and as I have Wed. and all but 3 hrs. on Thurs. to arrange my own work, I would be very happy to help with arrangements re: Mrs. [Thompson's?] visit if you would like.

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If you wish me to, would you please let me know when she will arrive, etc. so that I may plan accordingly.

Thank you again for your unflagging efforts and interest in my behalf in obtaining this chance for a re-consideration.

Respectfully, Barbara Brown

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MAX R. REISER COUNSELLOR AT LAW TEN TREMONT STREET BOSTON ____ LAFAYETTE 5330 RES. MALDEN 1013

May 11, 1943

Dr. Miriam Van Waters Box 99 Framingham, Massachusetts

REFORMATORY FOR WOMEN MAY 12 1943 FRAMINGHAM

Dear Dr. Van Waters:

I wrote to you some time ago, and as yet have received no reply, which is only an indication to me how precious and tied up your moments are. However, I am taking the liberty to write again about observations of Barbara Brown. Barbara has been to see me now three weeks in a row, and during this time, on her time off, she has walked the streets, looking for a position.

It is pretty hard to follow and prosecute your preliminary steps to the point of completion with a break of continuity in time; for in one day so little can be accomplished. An employer must be seen more than once in the ordinary case to bring results. Now, I do appreciate all that you have done for Barbara, but her heart is set on a new plan and a new life, and, I think that she should be given the chance.

Sometimes, we think it is for their best interests not to do as they wish, and we sometimes makes mistakes. I think Barbara is going to be alright, but she must be given a chance to try. This weekly search gives her no chance making the most of personal contact, and therefore, I would like to suggest that she be given a week off from her regular duties, and let us see what she can accomplish in that time. She keeps in constant touch with me, and I know she will find herself.

Barbara procuring a job is not the ordinary case, for very often pointed questions demand straight answers. Hence, many opportunities are cut short. I think you know what I mean, an so she really needs a week to hunt for a position. I will help her at that time.