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Viola Ford Fletcher, the social justice champion who survived the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died at age 111. Fletcher’s grandson, Ike Howard, confirmed the news of her death to CNN.
“She had a beautiful smile on her face,” Howard told CNN. “She loved life, she loved people.”
Viola Ford Fletcher was one of the oldest living survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Massacre
Fletcher dedicated her life to fighting for social justice. Much of her effort focused on bringing reparations for survivors of the massacre, who lost their loved ones and their property when white mobs attacked the Greenwood District in Oklahoma, also known as “Black Wall Street.” Fletcher spent part of her time speaking in front of Congress as she advocated for reparations, KTUL reported.
Fletcher also focused on documenting her story, as well as the story of other survivors. Much of Fletcher’s story was told in her memoir, Don’t Let Them Bury My Story, which she wrote with her grandson. Working with Oklahoma State University, Fletcher also took part in several oral history projects that documented her story.
Fletcher, who became a global icon for her social justice efforts, was honored with special titles when she went to Ghana in 2021, per KTUL. The Ghanaians named her “NaaLamiley,” which means a strong and resilient person.
Fletcher inspired the Viola Ford Fletcher Foundation, an organization empowering communities through education, health and economic resources.
Viola Ford Fletcher said she ‘never got over’ what she witnessed during the 1921 Tulsa Massacre
Fletcher told CNN that she still remembers “people getting killed, houses, property, schools, churches, and stores getting destroyed with fire.”
“It just stays with me, you know, just the fear. I have lived in Tulsa since but I don’t sleep all night living there,” she added.
Despite her effort to fight for social justice, Fletcher faced many setbacks. One of the disappointing moments happened in 2024 when the Oklahoma Supreme Court blocked the Tulsa Massacre survivors from being compensated by the city, CNN reported. Still, Fletcher has inspired many more advocates who continue to carry on her legacy.
