Viola Ford Fletcher, a Tulsa native and one of the last surviving victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, passed away at the age of 111. Her death brings an end to a legacy marked by unimaginable trauma, resilience, and unwavering dedication to seeking justice for herself and her community.
Born in Oklahoma on May 10, 1914, Fletcher spent most of her early years in Greenwood, an oasis for African Americans during segregation. The community was thriving, with doctors, grocery stores, restaurants, and banks – everything she needed to grow up happy and healthy. However, when a white mob descended upon the neighborhood, turning it into a charred and looted wasteland, Fletcher's life was forever changed.
The two-day attack on May 31, 1921, was sparked by a sensationalized newspaper article about a Black man accused of assaulting a white woman. The ensuing violence left hundreds dead, homes destroyed, and the once-prosperous community decimated. Fletcher, then just seven years old, witnessed the horror firsthand – charred remains, smoke billowing in the air, and the terror-stricken faces of her neighbors.
The trauma of that day stayed with Fletcher throughout her life, influencing her silence about the massacre for decades. However, as she grew older and began to share her story with her grandson, Ike Howard, a sense of catharsis washed over her. For the first time in years, Fletcher spoke publicly about what happened on that fateful day, bringing attention to the forgotten tragedy.
In 2023, Fletcher published her memoir, Don't Let Them Bury My Story, which became a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of African American survivors like herself. Alongside Howard, she joined other survivors in a lawsuit seeking reparations for the Oklahoma state supreme court ultimately dismissing their case.
Fletcher's unwavering dedication to justice extended far beyond her own personal experiences. In 2021, she testified before Congress about what she went through, joining Lessie Benningfield Randle and Hughes Van Ellis in speaking out against systemic injustice. Her legacy continues to shine a light on one of the darkest days in American history, as she left behind a testament to the power of courage and advocacy.
While Fletcher is no longer with us, her story serves as a reminder that even the most painful wounds can be soothed by the sharing of trauma. By breaking her silence, Fletcher has helped ensure that the memories of those who lost their lives in 1921 will never truly fade away – and that justice for survivors like herself will continue to be fought for generations to come.
Born in Oklahoma on May 10, 1914, Fletcher spent most of her early years in Greenwood, an oasis for African Americans during segregation. The community was thriving, with doctors, grocery stores, restaurants, and banks – everything she needed to grow up happy and healthy. However, when a white mob descended upon the neighborhood, turning it into a charred and looted wasteland, Fletcher's life was forever changed.
The two-day attack on May 31, 1921, was sparked by a sensationalized newspaper article about a Black man accused of assaulting a white woman. The ensuing violence left hundreds dead, homes destroyed, and the once-prosperous community decimated. Fletcher, then just seven years old, witnessed the horror firsthand – charred remains, smoke billowing in the air, and the terror-stricken faces of her neighbors.
The trauma of that day stayed with Fletcher throughout her life, influencing her silence about the massacre for decades. However, as she grew older and began to share her story with her grandson, Ike Howard, a sense of catharsis washed over her. For the first time in years, Fletcher spoke publicly about what happened on that fateful day, bringing attention to the forgotten tragedy.
In 2023, Fletcher published her memoir, Don't Let Them Bury My Story, which became a powerful testament to the resilience and strength of African American survivors like herself. Alongside Howard, she joined other survivors in a lawsuit seeking reparations for the Oklahoma state supreme court ultimately dismissing their case.
Fletcher's unwavering dedication to justice extended far beyond her own personal experiences. In 2021, she testified before Congress about what she went through, joining Lessie Benningfield Randle and Hughes Van Ellis in speaking out against systemic injustice. Her legacy continues to shine a light on one of the darkest days in American history, as she left behind a testament to the power of courage and advocacy.
While Fletcher is no longer with us, her story serves as a reminder that even the most painful wounds can be soothed by the sharing of trauma. By breaking her silence, Fletcher has helped ensure that the memories of those who lost their lives in 1921 will never truly fade away – and that justice for survivors like herself will continue to be fought for generations to come.
I'm just so saddened by Viola Ford Fletcher's passing, but at the same time I'm super proud of the impact she had on raising awareness about the Tulsa Race Massacre. It's crazy that people still don't know about this dark period in American history and how it affects Black communities to this day 
. The fact that she bravely spoke out about her trauma and shared her story with her family, then went on to share it with a wider audience is just inspiring 
. We need more people like her who aren't afraid to speak truth to power and bring attention to the struggles faced by marginalized communities 
.
she was like a symbol of hope and strength for so many people her legacy is still shining through even though she's no longer with us 
what i find really inspiring is how she kept fighting for justice even when it seemed like nobody was listening her courage is still giving me chills 
but i guess her story will live on through her book and the people who are still fighting for change today 
. Anyway, her legacy lives on and we're grateful for her bravery in sharing her story... hopefully it'll bring about some much-needed change 
The passing of Viola Ford Fletcher is a somber reminder of the long shadow cast by the Tulsa Race Massacre 
. Her legacy as one of the last surviving victims speaks volumes about the trauma and resilience faced by African Americans during that time 
. It's heartbreaking to think about her decades-long struggle to speak out against such injustice, only finding solace in sharing her story with her family 
.
. May her legacy serve as a beacon of hope for future generations and a reminder that even the most painful wounds can be soothed by sharing trauma 
.
She lived through one of the darkest moments in American history but still managed to keep fighting for justice until her last breath 
. It's so sad she won't be around to see the progress made in seeking justice for survivors like her but I hope her story will continue to inspire others to keep fighting 
.
It's crazy to think Viola Ford Fletcher lived through one of the darkest moments in American history, yet she continued to fight for justice even after witnessing unimaginable trauma as a 7-year-old girl. I mean, can you imagine experiencing that level of fear and loss? She shared her story with her grandson and eventually wrote a memoir, which is just incredible. It's amazing how one person's courage can bring attention to these forgotten tragedies. Her legacy will continue to shine a light on the importance of speaking out against systemic injustice 
111 years is still pretty young to have gone through so much trauma, you know? I mean, Viola Ford Fletcher was basically a human equivalent of the Duracell bunny - just kept going no matter what 
. It's heartbreaking that she had to live with this trauma for so long, but her legacy will continue to inspire others to fight for justice 
️. I hope her story brings attention to the forgotten tragedy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and helps to ensure that those who lost their lives are never forgotten 
. RIP Viola Ford Fletcher 
, like what took them so long?! anyway, I hope her legacy continues to inspire others to fight for justice and remember the sacrifices made by survivors like her 
. Her legacy is a powerful reminder that our voices matter, even if it takes time for them to be heard 
. She's so brave for speaking out about it and sharing her story, but also super sad that she's gone now 
. Her memoir Don't Let Them Bury My Story needs to be read by everyone