NAWSA GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE Brown, Louise Louise Brown West Park NY My dear Miss Blackwell:- Your Christmas and Easter cards are always an inspiration and I thank you for them. My sister has been reading about the new life of Mrs. Catt. We have been delighted with it. My sister will use the book in her classes in Milwaukee next year. We did not need this book to remind us of you and your work, for we speak of you often. I think you might like the enclosed letter which I am A retired physician began giving me lessons five years ago, seeing my mental needs. The work was of exceeding difficulty, on account of my distaste for the subject. and my lack of eyesight. I shall never know just why I persisted. We developed a technique of learning: my teacher first played a piece and commented on the harmony, etc. My good helper, Anna Rush, then got the notes into my head, a terrible job. Then my professor took hold of me again and corrected any mistakes I was making in time, expression, etc. Then came the stupidest part -- practice. As a result, I have learned about thirty-five little pieces, mostly one or two pages long and about as many hymns. I like the intellectual side of music much better than the sensuous, but I have enjoyed music itself also. This summer a member of a monastic order comes down to play the flute to my accompaniment once or twice a week. Among my teachers have been two very able musicians, who are priests by profession. Of course my chief interest is, as always, in education movements: I have had in the summer opportunities to lead discussions among our groups here. Contact with young people active in trying to make the world better is a tremendous inspiration. The high spot of last summer was hearing Margaret Bondfield, the English leader, whose work I had followed with delight for many years. You will want to know something about my family. Sister Mary Theodora (Wellesley, '88), who has for so long been the head of St. Mary's Convent, retired a year ago, largely on account of increasing eye difficulty. She is devoting her time to some important literary work in connection with her profession. My sister Emily, who still teaches in Milwaukee, spends her summers with me, to my great delight. Sister Mary Theodora will join us for a little vacation later in the summer. My brother Charles, Iowa State College Librarian, has been very active this year in developing interest in books about China. My two nephews now have three children each. Dr. Charles Howard Brown broke his arm badly as flight surgeon in the Pacific and was invalided home, where I devoutly hope he will stay. His family are with him, two little boys and one little girl. My other nephew, Professor Robert Brown, is still in Clarke University working under the army. He lives with his family on a farm, the best place in the world to bring up three little children. Now I have told you all about myself, for I thought you would be interested in these details. I am equally interested in your interests; even though I cannot write often, I think often of you, and treasure everything I learn about you. So please do not wait until Christmas to write me, and I shall hope to do better in the coming year. With my love to you, Louise Brown per M. E. B. The Sycamore West Park, N. Y. July 6, 1944 My dear friend: I did not send the letters at Christmas time as I usually do, because I could not at that time get a secretary, and it has become increasingly difficult for me to write satisfactorily myself. I am again fortunate in having someone to help me. As you know, I have spent the last nine winters in an apartment in Peekskill, near my sister, who until recently has been the head of an Anglican convent. My summers I have spent in the Sycamore bungalow, near the Hudson Shore School (the successor to the Bryn Mawr summer school and the Vineyard Shore winter school). The contrast in my groups of friends in the two places and in my experiences summers and winters has been delightful. In the winter I am associated with people whom I thoroughly enjoy, but with whom I differ on almost every political, philosophical, and ethical point; therefore they have been of great value to me in education, which I often think never begins until one has retired from active work. In the summer, I meet my friends in the worker's education movement, and make new ones among the people who come to the various conferences held here from May to October. One of my chief interests during the past five years has been reading in Braille. For two years I read the "Literary Digest," and then I discarded it, partly because I could always get it read to me, and chiefly because I disliked its inaccurate and very limited selections of articles. Then I began drawing books from the Albany Public Library, books which are sent free of postage. Among those I have enjoyed most are the following: 1) Bertrand Russell's "Conquest of Happiness;" a delightful little book, which I recommend to all believers in happiness. 2) Beard's "Rise of American Civilization." 3) "History of the Balkans." 4) Gunther's "Inside Asia," a very useful book. I have gotten from this book information about China and India which I have been exceedingly glad to get. 5) "My India, My America." 6) "Journey for Margaret." 7) "The Soong Sisters." 8) "Why Europe Fights," by Walter Millis; a little book of great value. Another great interest has been music. This is a joke, because I never had any lessons in music as a child, and I really disliked music; even when I enjoyed some orchestral or choral piece, I thought it an awful waste of time to spend an evening at it. Consequently, to find myself practicing the piano, of all instruments, for two or three hours a day, is very amusing. sending to my friends. With love and appreciation, Louise Brown (per Emily Brown) West Park, N. y. December 16, 1930 My dear Miss Blackwell:- I do not know whether or not the colored girls in Wellesley are incompatible but as I hope to be in Wellesley Dec 27, I will make some inquiries without reference to the letter from you. There were no colored girls there in 1927-1928 When I was there. We miss our dear comrade terribly. She was so keen to live for she had much to give. Every effort is being made here to carry on her work. We are raising a fund to support a laboratory to be built in her memory and called the Ellen Hayes' Laboratory. I am ordering a copy of the Lucy Stone Biography for our library. I am very glad that you have written it. Thank you for the Christmas card. I wish that you could visit this school and Miss Hayes' new house now consecrated to the use of industrial women with a vision. I shall later send you more information about our work and plans. Affectionately yours, Louise Brown. [*Brown*] St. Mary’s Convent Peekskill, N.Y. December 13, 1940 My dear Miss Blackwell; My first Christmas letter goes to you — for you stand first among those whose lives inspire mine. I always enjoy your cards, and I noted with pleasure this time, a quotation from yourself. I am sending you something that I made myself. It can be used as a holder or as a mat. Please do not trouble to acknuledge it, for I know that it is none to early to get letters written. I am here again in the winter. How I can read from Braille. I done the Reader's Digest which given much food for thought but I hope later to get something more liberal. My music goes on with the help of a wonderful friend, a woman over seventy who teaches me measure by measure with infinite patience. We had summer school again, and I had the joy of teaching once more. I always feel that I am carrying on for all who have influenced me. We hand in the torch - otherwise there would be no progress. With my love to you, Louise Brown [*Louise Brown*] Christmas greeting and my love to Alice Stone Blackwell who has inspired me to courageous action for may years, since I was a green young woman. of 25. I lapped up the ideas of Miss Hayes and her friends like a thirsty dog, so sterile had been my environment. Even the college environment. Even the college environment of my day did not give us a contact with life and living issues. So here is gratitude and all best wishes, Louise Brown St. Mary's Convent, Peekskill, N. Y. December 1938 The Sycamore West Park. N. Y. May 21,1932 My dear Miss Blackwell: Very many thanks for your order and for the encouraging cards. We expect to have the pamphlets ready for distribution in early July. I hope that you will not be disappointed. I felt that I must do what I could, since no-one else would. You are a great source of courage to me. I am very much a cripple, having fallen when walking with crutch and cane. No-one was to blame, and we believe that no permanent harm was done. Still I must postpone any further effort to walk for some weeks as the knee was strained. I still hope ultimately to get about with one crutch, and perhaps with none. As I am not a patient person, I gain from the remembrance of your great bravery for so many years. The work still for us to do, is a blessing. With love to you, Louise Brown. [*Louise Brown*] Newport County Women's Republican Club Newport, Rhode Island. 38 Catherine Street May 4, 1923 Dear Miss Blackwell, Miss Blackwell, the acting President, and I were interested in what you said about the "What Women Might Do etc but Mrs. Elliott says we must trust to the judgment of our speaker. Come down this time into "Old Times and New," and win our hearts. Then next time you can be as radical as you like. Really these women should be made to realize what they might do with their votes. We have decided that we "could and should," to quote Mrs. Elliott, pay the $25. and expenses and we want you very much. Now can you come on May 17th and, if you can, please let me know by return mail, also if you will stay over night so that we can arrange with your hostess. It takes about 2 1/2 hours to get here and trains are often late. Our meeting begins about 3.45 daylight. Your hostess will be glad to meet you at an early train and give you luncheon and a chance to rest before the lecture. Sincerely, always, Louise Brown Cor. Sec. [*S Alice Browne*] St. Mary's Convent Peekskill, N. Y. March 26, 1940 My dear Miss Blackwell: Your Easter message was an inspiration to me as words from you always are. Thank you. This is my fifth winter here with my sister. I have been taking lessons in music, quite a task since I never had any drill in that art, and had not even played a hymn for twenty years. As I could not see to read notes, I depended on a good friend to help me. The result is that I am now on my fourth hymn and have finished a sonatina, so far as the mechanical part goes. I know the notes and dare yet to get my fingers to work properly in accord with such knowledge. I hope to enjoy a piano when I am home and [?], [?] do, it will be the first pleasure I nave ever had that was not related to my profession. I am also learning Braille. Have you ever done so? It is simple. The first books are inexpensive and much literature for later use can be secured free. I doubt if I use Braille much, but as the rest of my family, one brother and two sisters are threatened with inability to read, I hope that my experience may help them. I shall return soon to West Park. As you probably know, the Bryn Mawr summer school has leased the school property, and held school there last summer. It was a joy to teach again. I had three classes a week, an hour and one-half each. Miss Hayes would have been very happy in the use of the property. I wish that I could come to see you but my travel is limited to the drive here in the fall and back in the spring. I love you always and rejoice in you. Louise Brown. Louise Brown VINEYARD SHORE SCHOOL For Women Workers in Industry West Park on Hudson Ulster County, N. Y. November 17, 1930 Miss Alice Stone Blackwell 3 Monadneck Street Uphams Corner Station Boston, Mass. My dear Miss Blackwell: Our dear comrade, Ellen Hayes, died October 27th in he new home at West Park after an illness of a few weeks. Her pluck made it possible for her to escape the discomfort of confinement to bed until the last week, and even gave her 10 days in Wellesley in September. She was happy to be in her own home here and to know that the new school which she loved so dearly was opening with good promise for its second year. We are planning a memorial service for Sunday, November 30th, in order that our new group of students may know her rare spirit better. I cannot hope that you will feel equal to coming, but if ever you could visit us, we should consider it a great privilege. As you know, Miss Hayes always loved you dearly. I remember when she introduced me to you so many years ago and all the happy occasions in your home. I hope that the fall finds you well. I always rejoice when I see your name in the Nation or elsewhere. Affectionately yours, Louise Brown. B:G Louise Brown St. Mary's Convent, Peekskill, N. Y. April 22, 1940 Dear Miss Blackwell: You were very dear to write me. How I wish that I had strength enough to come to see you! I am writing to ask if you would care for a Braille primer that I have enjoyed using. Braille is a great game. I can now read sentences, with slowness to be sure, but still I can do it. I would be glad to send you the book if you would like to play with it. One needs no instruction. With my love, Louise Brown We shall be at home in West Park N. Y. tomorrow. Transcribed and reviewed by contributors participating in the By The People project at crowd.loc.gov.