"I graduated from Hunter College in New York in 1942", said Ruth S. "Because of the limited seating space, each graduate was only allowed two tickets for the ceremonies. My grandmother was very unhappy that she could not come with my parents. While walking in to the commencement hall with my fellow graduates, I stared at the dais. There, seated right next to Mrs. Roosevelt was my grandmother! She had explained her plight to Mrs. Roosevelt, who immediately had found a seat for her on the dais."

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"In September 1943, my brother was sent overseas with the American Army," said Martha C.

"It was the midst of World War II, and we were terribly worried. Everyone in the family wrote him letters and sent packages, yet he kept writing to us asking whether we had forgotten about him. He had not received any of our mail.

I did not know anymore what to do. One day, listening to the radio, I heard Arthur Godfrey and Kate Smith, the famous singer, urging everyone to write to "our boys."

I wrote about our plight to both of them, to congressmen and senators, and also to Eleanor Roosevelt. I grew up with Mrs. Roosevelt, read her column "My Day" religiously, and felt as if the first lady was my personal friend.
Eleanor Roosevelt was the only one who replied to my letter. She advised me to take her letter to APO headquarters, which would admit me to someone in charge. I did.

My Eleanor Roosevelt letter was like a passport that opened doors for me. I found out where my brother was stationed, and our mail was finally forwarded to him.

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