Box 332 

Bates College

Lewiston, Maine

April 28, 1960

Dear Patricia,

I hope you will all read this, but I picked Patricia in particular to address this to, since that's also my name. I can't express the admiration and respect I feel for your people, even though I have never met you. I only wish that I could be doing something more vital to help you and the cause for which we are all working.

Here at Bates we organized a group of students to picket the Woolworth's store in town. This was inspired by Martin Luther King when we heard him speak in New York on April 1st. We realized then that we would have to do as so much as we could to help out. We were met with scorn in some cases, and misunderstanding, but there were some who read the fact sheets we passed out and at least thought about what we were doing. Many people were glad to see us doing something and were very encouraging. We attempted 

to get a permit to solicit from the town council, but were unanimously voted down - due to ignorance and bigotry and pig-headedness and political intrigue and it almost makes me love my faith in man when I think about it. Then I think about you people and get it back! Anyway, we've been doing lots of things on campus to bring on awareness, interest and involvement among the other students - at which we are more successful. Tomorrow we have another battle to wage against the "Powers" to get permission to solicit on campus. Even if we don't, we can do what the students at Colby College did. have you by chance heard about that? They had work projects to raise money where the kids went out and did special jobs.

I know you probably have piles of letters, but if you have a chance I would like to hear from one of you. Did like to say that we don't intend to let this thing up here just dribble off into nothing. We intend to keep at it until something is done. Please be encouraged, because we and so many others are with you. I can only repeat that I have the deepest admiration for what you are doing. That's not enough, but how can you say how wonderful it is?

Sincerely, 

Patricia Holderith