March 13th, 2026

Selection Committee
Congress
483 Washington Drive
Washington D.C., 12039

To Whom It May Concern,

I send this letter on behalf of my classmates at Texas State Highschool, encouraging you to add to your Best Short Stories of the 20th Century series, "Everyday Use," by Alice Walker. The tale was read by my entire class for an English lesson, and it was met unanimously with praise. From the moment we read the final few lines, we knew immediately that it had to be recognized for its excellence and wisdom.

The story is one of a mother and her daughters. The narrator, an African-American single mother, is very strong of will, and of might. She is a very hard worker, who "in zero weather... can work outside all day, breaking ice to get water for washing," and "eat pork liver cooked over the open fire minutes after it comes steaming from the hog." She and her younger daughter, Maggie, live alone on the countryside, and despite in conditions that are a bit poor, they live happily. When her older daughter, Dee, now named Wangero, a name she takes from her African ancestry, returns home from college, however,  she has fully changed from the girl her mother knew. While appearing to want to reconnect with her roots and culture, she is instead show to be more interested in appearances (eg. wanting to display her grandmother's quilts on a wall rather than use and love them) than real connections.

My classmates and I thoroughly enjoyed the story, and were captivated by the clashes between the characters. It is deep, insightful, and a read that captures your interest from the start. We hope that you consider it for The Best Short Stories of the 20th Century, and thank you for your time.

With high regards,

J. R. Woods