Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt 

May 31, 1960

I would like you to join me for luncheon on Monday, June 20th to take action in the emergency situation confronting the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). For the past year COE has led the struggle in the South and throughout the country to bring full equality to all our people. In the course of their struggle, CORE staff persons and the young college students with whom they have worked have done what every one of us wish we had the courage to do. They have peacefully assembled in a series of now-historic sit-in demonstrations. They have used non-violent tactics to assert their human rights. Many have gone to jail in what I believe to be the truest American tradition -- to sacrifice oneself for the right even though alone in the struggle.

At our emergency conference we will have an opportunity to meet and hear Patricia Stephens, a 21-year-old Negro student at Florida A. & M. University. Patricia has just finished serving, together with her sister and three other students, a 60-day sentence for participation in a sit-in demonstration. This girl, believing fervently in the justice of her cause, refused to appeal to a higher court because she strongly believed in the Rev. Martin Luther Kind's worlds: 'We must fill the jails in order to win equal rights."

Such courage deserves our admiration and respect. More than that, it gives [every one] of us confidence in the future of our country. Her example tells us that nothing will stop the winning of full equality for all citizens so long as girls like Patricia are prepared to make such sacrifices.

Understaffed and underfinanced, CORE has stretched its meager resources to the breaking point to meet the many demands for guidance from college students like Patricia. Today CORE faces a summer of financial crisis. It is to take action to help CORE that I am inviting you and other friends to meet Patricia Stephens and myself for luncheon at the Plaza Hotel, Fifth Avenue and 59th Street, in New York City on Monday June 20, at 12:30 P.M.

I hope that we will all show equal readiness to sacrifice in helping CORE even if our sacrifice is small compared to that made by Patricia Stephens and her fellow students. Will you please let me know at your convenience that you will be with me for lunch on Monday, June 20?

Sincerely, 

[Signature]  Eleanor Roosevelt