320 Court Street

Utica, New York

April 21, 1960

Miss Patricia Stephens

Leon County Jail

Tallahassee, Florida

Dear Miss Stephens:

I wish to express my feeling of support to you in the stand you are taking in protest against segregation at lunch counters, which in turn, is a general protest to segregation of any kind. Although it is easier for one on the outside of a jail, than it is for one on the inside of a jail, to say "be courageous", I wish to let you know that there are millions of people in America who are appreciative of young people like you who are fighting our battle. This letter is just one of the ways that I am telling you how I feel.

What you are doing takes the courage of sturdy men. You fight for the cause of what democracy stands for, yet you are only children. Incidentally, I have a daughter at Virginia State College in Petersburg, Virginia who is working in protest to these outrages though not as demonstrative as your situation. I have pondered her future and have talked it over with her in the event she too is a victim of this type of unfair imprisonment. We agreed that whatever the cost or deprivation that she stand up for her moral and Christian rights if the test should be brought directly to her. As I read of your plight, I envision my own child in the same situation. Perhaps she may be jailed some day for the same principle.

I would say to her as I say to you: If it will make for equality of living for all races in our country; if this is the only way people will see that all men are created equal, then, stick it out. It would pain me as I am sure it does your parents, but with our prayers our support and what little courage we on the outside have, we are sure that your sacrifice will go a long way toward justice.

Sincerely yours, 

[Signature] Paul E. Richardson