Photo of the Day

A teenage girl writes to Eleanor Roosevelt.

“March 1, 1934.

“Dear Mrs. Roosevelt,

”I'm sorry this had to be written on funny paper.

“But honest its very funny to live.

“I wished sometimes that I were dead.

Russell Lee photo.

“It was Sunday when I wrote this letter to you.

“I had just come up stairs to sleep.

“I have been crying, so please excuse my writing.

“On Sunday, I sit around and cry myself to sleep.

Walker Evans photo.

“I'm not allowed out never.

“I'm always in the house, no body comes to our house, because its so old fashioned and not a place for fun.

John Vachon photo.

“I'm not allowed to buy books like True Stories or any other kind.

“I'm sick I hate life.

“I go with my girl friends to school sometimes.

“But they don't appreciate me because I'm poor and haven't got clothes like they do.

“I wished and wish for clothes.

“I hope that some day I will enter a contest and win some money.

John Vachon photo.

“I hate every thing now because life seems blind.

“I love my mother dearly.

Ben Shahn photo.

“My dad works 3 days a week — he gets $40 a month.

“But he has lot of old bills to pay from before when he did not work.

Arthur Rothstein photo.

“I wish I had work.

“I would help my dad although he is mean to me.

“As old as I am I still get beaten.

“Well, you would say, ‘Why?’

“Because sometimes he gets drunk and starts to beat us for silly things.

Arthur Siegel photo.

“I'm sick and tired.

“Dad buys me some things once in a great while.

Walker Evans photo.

“But how long.

“I only have 3 dresses for school.

“One of my girl friends gives me shoes.

“O God bless her.

Ben Shahn photo.

“Please help me.

“I’d like to get some nice clothes and some furniture for our house.

“I want to brace up.

Dorothea Lange photo.

“I want to go with my friends and show them kindness.

“I want to cooperate well with others.

“I want to be loved.

Dorothea Lange photo.

“Please Answer Soon.

“I’m 15 years old, in 8th grade.

“Don't show this letter to nobody.

“Please.

John Vachon photo.

“Your Friend forever.

“Excuse my errors.”

******************************

I’ll see you tomorrow.

— Brenda

Most of these photos were taken for the Farm Service Administration, a New Deal program, to document the effects of federal programs in combating the Great Depression.

Banner image: Eleanor Roosevelt at her desk.