Linda Bailey

162 Remington Road, Manhasset, New York

May 2, 1960

Dear Pat,

I just heard from Bill Wintersteen that you were getting out of jail soon, as I thought I had better write tonight.

I am a senior at Manhasset High School, and a member of the Congregational Church at which Bill is a student mentor.

I had not realized the extent of the sit-ins. Somehow I had received the mistaken impression that they were centered in only a few towns. Bill was telling me of his tours of the south and his deep admirations for those of you who are protesting through means of Christian non-violence. I would like to express also that I agree firmly with what you are doing, why you are doing it and how you are doing it. I think many of my fellow students would

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also commend your courageous actions.

This year, for the first time, our school is holding a mock Democratic Nominating Convention. We are getting pretty excited as the big day, May 20, draws near. Every person in the high school is a member of a state delegation. Each state is supposed to follow the rules and attitudes of this state. The convention will start in the afternoon and probably run through most of the evening at least until someone is nominated. We are also running a high school opinion poll in preparation for the convention. So far Kennedy and Stevenson have polled the most votes.

Two days after the convention is youth Sunday in our church. On this day the seniors from our Pilgrim Fellowship run both the

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morning worship service. Six of us will be preaching the sermon. We had a meeting set today to try and agree on a topic. No such luck. I would really like to preach on the meaning of life with perhaps the following title, "We are called to love" (Love in the broadest sense of declaration and brotherhood) The sermon which I gave in April to our youth groups was entitled "Paul's Letter to the Church in Manhasset." I tried to imitate the style and form of Paul's letter, but, with specific ideas, evaluations of our church.

I wish you the best of luck in your fight for those right which, we, too often, unfortunately take for granted. Our thoughts are with you and your friends throughout the

South, in fact the world, wherever students are protesting injustice through action. I hope we will be able to meet you when you visit the New York area this month.

May God be ever with you, 

Linda Bailey

Miss Patricia Stephens

c/o Leon County Jail

Tallahassee Florida

Linda Bailey

162 Remington Road, Manhasset, New York