We the parents of nine negro children enrolled at Little Rock Central High School want you to know that your action in safe guarding their rights have strengthened our faith in democracy. Now as never before we have an abiding feeling of belonging and purposefulness. We believe that freedom and equality with which all men are endowed at birth can be maintained only through freedom and equality of opportunity for self development growth and purposeful citizenship. We believe that the degree to which people everywhere realize and accept this concept will determine in a large measure America’s true growth and true greatness. You have demonstrated admirably to us the nation and the world how profoundly you believe in this concept. For this we are deeply grateful and respectfully extend to you our heartfelt and lasting thanks. May the almighty and all wise father of us all bless guide and keep you always.

Description + Context: ​Telegram sent by the parents of the Little Rock Nine on to President Eisenhower on September 30, 1957