From Lucile Bluford to Dr. F. A. Middlebush

Telegram from Lucile Bluford to University of Missouri President Frederick A. Middlebush, stating that university registrar has rejected her application for admission for six straight semesters due to her race, despite her credits having previously been acceptable, and reiterating that Lincoln University does not offer a journalism program. She requests that Middlebush "extend democracy in our own state" at a time that "negro boys as well as white are about to sacrifice their lives on the battlefield" in defense of democracy. At the time, Bluford was the managing editor of the Kansas City Call and seeking admittance to the masters degree program at MU's School of Journalism. After repeated efforts to enter the program, and repeated denials due to her race, she filed a lawsuit against the university that eventually was heard before the Missouri Supreme Court.