Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: N, 1949. A-71, folder 327. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

Jan 31, 1949

Dear Dr Van Waters

As I write this note to you I feel rather sad & ashamed to think that my case history had to be read & re-read at the live hearing. Be the statements be true or false I wouldl like to tell the public what Framingham has done for me. On my arrival here April 2nd '48 I was both mentally & physically ill. I was not able to

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take care of myself let alone ] good husband and four adorable children. Framingham has brought me back to the right way of thinking & living And when I leave here I will be able to be the Wife & Mother to my Family that I love so dearly. Mother is a name to be so Proud & And the way I feel right now I can go forth and rightfully earn that name.

Doctor I sincerely wish that Mr Cross

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would call me and I would be willing to swear under oath how much Framingham means to me.

Doctor dear it is a hard battle but each and every one of us pray to God to give you the Health and strength to carry on.

In my prayers during the day & evening as humble as they may be I pray to God & his Divine mother for your quick return to us all.

Sincerely your Student

Margaret Newton

Feb-27-1949 N.L.R

Dear Dr Van Waters

I am writing you this note to say hello, & sincerely hope that you will return to us all real soon.

Doctor Van Waters there is so much in my heart that I cannot put it all down on paper.

Your office looks so bare when I go by it, at different times during the day that i feel as if every fiber of my body wants to cry.

This trouble that Framingham has been having has brought each & every woman here Dr Van Waters more closer together, brought us to realize that we are women, to stick

for me another & help & guide each one in their time of need.

Dr Van Waters please I write this from the bottom of my heart return to us soon. I am proud to be one of your students and when I leave Framingham I can face the public & be proud to be called Wife & Moather the name that is so beatuiful in its own rights You Dr Van Waters - have taught me more about kindness, friendships & the meaning of Right.

Never for a moment forget that each & every girl remembers you in her prayers that God & His Divine Mother will give

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you the Health - Strength & Perseverance to carry on your great work for the Rights of Women not only from Framingham but in all the 48 States.

God Bless you & Have you here with us all real soon.

Margaret Newton

March 7th 1949

My Dear Dr Van Waters I am sending you over this little statue by our Divine Mother & Also this beautiful picture of the Mother watching over her children. Dr that picture is you yourself watching & guiding every girl placed in your care.

If prayers could of only talked Dr dear You have been remembered the 24 hr day & night for your speedy return to Us who miss you so very much.

Dr Van Waters this little statue & picture are only one of the many things Dr Gabriel sent me today. In her last letter she says quote "Gabriel never tarled her harm over the Puritans state of Mass." She must be a grand person. She has to be, because she is the Aunt of Our Miss O' Keefe and a grander person we cannot find the world over outside of you Dr Van Waters.

Hope that you will like this little tken. I remain your student

Margaret Newton Yr I

P.S the little statue would look nice on your desk. How about it. O.K, When are you coming back to the Rangers, you know after being