Trendpills
Viola Ford Fletcher, affectionately known as “Mother Fletcher” and the oldest known survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died at the age of 111. Her passing marks the end of an era for a woman who transformed from a witness of one of the worst acts of racial violence in U.S. history into a tireless advocate for justice.
Fletcher was seven years old when a white mob descended on the prosperous Black community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She carried vivid memories of the terror, recalling the sight of Black-owned homes and businesses being burned down and seeing dead bodies in the streets. The massacre resulted in the deaths of as many as 300 Black residents and the complete destruction of the area known as “Black Wall Street.”
For decades, the story was largely suppressed. However, Fletcher became a prominent public figure in her later years, determined to prevent her story from being buried. In 2021, at the age of 107, she testified before a U.S. House subcommittee, declaring, “I’m here seeking justice.” Aided by her grandson, Ike Howard, she published her memoir, “Don’t Let Them Bury My Story,” ensuring her firsthand account would not be forgotten. Her advocacy brought a new level of national attention to the century-old atrocity. Only months before her death, she celebrated her 111th birthday, an event that was recognized in her community.
Until her death, Fletcher was a lead plaintiff in a lawsuit seeking reparations for the massacre’s devastating impact. Along with Lessie Benningfield Randle, who is now the last known living survivor, she was part of a legal effort to hold the city of Tulsa and other entities accountable. After a district court dismissed the case, their legal team appealed to the Oklahoma Supreme Court, arguing that the massacre created a public nuisance that continues to harm the community today. In a statement during the appeal, Fletcher and Randle expressed hope that their “now-weary bodies have held on long enough” to see justice served.
Her family and supporters have vowed to continue her fight. As her grandson stated, her legacy is not just one of survival, but one of resilience, truth, and an unwavering demand for accountability that has inspired a new generation.
