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Dr. Esther L. Richards
41 West Preston Street
Baltimore, Maryland3-24-32
Lady dear,
By this time the deed is done. I'm sorry you have to go thro' it, but I suppose it is best to get the thing over. I wish I could spare you the discomfort that goes with it. I enjoyed your letter; got the reprints but am saving them for a leisure moment. You do not say when the physiological meetings are to be held in April. You sound full of your usual optimism and enthusiastic attitude towards life which are so characteristic of you.
Last week I was in NYC for 2 days presiding at 9a.m - 4p.m meetings of the Educational Policies Committee of the AAUW. Mrs. Frances Fenton Park sat on my right. Dr. Helen Woolley was there. She is a pitiful picture of elbows & a petticoat showing & a mental attitude saturated with bitterness. Columbia has fired her & she is looking for another job but cannot apply till a psychiatrist passes on her mental health. She chose Dr. White of St. Elizabeth's & he passed the buck to Dr. Frankwood Williams who is still holding matters in obeyance. I wonder why she didn't come to Dr Meyer? She has so many, & the prospects of her getting a job at her age & her background are pathetically poor. I feel so sorry for her. If Miss Woolley was back I'd sound her out on something in the Psych. depart. at College.
Things are humming here. Huge dispensaries & no help & a dear chief who is so immersed in the academic aspects of psychiatry that he doesn't [sic] the terrible needs of daily life right hear in Balto. I never knew I could serve on so many committees for child welfare. Am lecturing now 6 hrs a week to nurses, & after that the Sch. of Hygiene comes on. That dentist book comes out the 5th of April. I never was so sick of anything in my life.
Pease write a line when you are able & let me know how you feel. Don't think you've had a minor operation & begin to tear around as soon as you are back at college.
I love you
Esther.[Note: There is a Fanny Fenton x1854 who married a Calvin Park, but according to the Biographical Directory of 1937, she died in 1882. I wonder if Mrs. Frances Fenton Park is a relation; the directory doesn't list any children.]