Sydna E. R. Francis to Frederick Douglass, January 1, 1850
To a Charitable Public.
Buffalo, Jan. 1, 1850.
DEAR FRIEND:—The Ladies' Literary and Progressive Improvement SocietyLadies’ Literary and Progressive Improvement Society of Buffalo
For instance, after the Ladies’ Literary and Progressive Improvement Society of Buffalo received a donation from the Independent Order of Daughter of Temperance, Sydna wrote to North Star seeking to publicize the news.
, of the city of Buffalo, is an Association which has been recently formed, having for its object the great and important principles of the moral intellectual, political, and social advancement of its members, by endeavoring to promote, so far as possible, every branch of literature, art and science, and encouraging every political reform, which tends to secure human rights or elevate human character.
Their object is also to establish a library and reading room, and to seek, through every avenue, the general interest and welfare of its members. And as they have undertaken in its infancy, this great and responsible work, they feel it obligatory upon them to call upon the sympathies of a charitable public, to assist them in in their undertaking. They contemplate building a public hall for their accommodation, and also for the accommodation of every friend of God and humanity, the erection of which they contemplate will cost one thousand dollars or upwards. And they therefore most respectfully and earnestly solicit donations, from the friends throughout the country, which may be forwarded to the address of the President or the Secretary. And in making this appeal, we most charitably hope that it will meet a favorable reception at your hands.
In behalf the Association, we remain, with due regard,
SYDNA E. R. FRANCISFrancis, Sydna Edmonia Robella
Sydna Edmonia Robell Francis (1815-1889), was the president and co-founder of the Ladies' Literary and Progressive Improvement Society of Buffalo. She was married to Abner Hunt Francis. She has been incorrectly identified as "Lynda" in secondary sources and in the biography of her husband included here.
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