Carrie Chapman Catt

171 Madison Avenue

New York

24 April, 1928.

Madam Rosika Schwimmer,

2 West 83rd Street,

New York City.

My dear Rosika:

You are right that the old guard is going fast. Always those who live long enough find themselves alone. I have been so occupied with my own disappearance that I have only an apology to offer.

My afflication is the very worst that could happen to me, I am sure. I am losing my eyesight. I have been unable to read much for some time and when your brief came, I tried to read it and I have not yet finished it. I wish to do so and shall do so. I am still keeping up my work and saying as little about my eyes as possible. I am trying to round things off so that if I can do nothing more, I will, at least, have my work in good fashion.

I do not know about the management of the Women’s City Club. I have nothing whatever to do with it except that I am a member for the sole purpose of gaining permission to go there for meals when I wish. It is a convenient place for me because it is near my office. I think all the talk in the press just now about the blacklist will clear the atmosphere and perhaps a little later Miss Leckie will propose you again. As I understand it, she withdrew your name because somebody talked. I have no objection whatever to being sponsor of your application at any time, so Miss Leckie need not hesitate to ask me if she desires.

Last Autumn, to give you a little news about myself, I sold my home in Westchester County. It was too difficult to live there all the year around and so we always lived in hotels during the winter. We have been accustomed to going to a warmer place in the winter and did spend four weeks in Florida the past winter.

I have just bought a new home in New Rochelle. I shall not like it nearly so much as the one I had, but it is much nearer New York and we shall be able to live there all the year around. The address is 120 Peine Avenue, New Rochelle, New York – the telephone number is 4460 New Rochelle. I hope I may be able to live there until I pass on.

I hope Francisca is finding pupils. There is a big musical circle in New York about which I know very little. She ought to find a welcome in it.

The International Alliance will hold its next Congress, as you know in Berlin in celebration of the twenty-fifth birthday. Of course, I should like to go, but I doubt if that will be possible. How well I remember you, a young newspaper girl with your uncle and how we talked over the organization of a suffrage movement in Hungary. How splendidly well you did!

I have just had a letter from Mrs. Meller telling me how difficult is to go on. The Leslie Commission has been able to help them a little, but, of course, they are not able to du much and they miss you and Vilma very much.

I do hope you are not finding life too unlivable. I often think of you and wonder how you are getting on. Please give my best regards to Francisca and accept my best wishes for yourself.

Very cordially,

Carrie Chapman Catt

Please do not hesitate to call upon me if I can help you.

New York Public Library Manuscripts and Archives Division. Rosika Schwimmer Papers, Box 178.