Who was Viola Fletcher and what was her connection to the Tulsa Race Massacre?

Viola Fletcher was a survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, witnessing the destruction of her community as a child. She became an advocate for justice for the victims.

What happened during the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre?

A violent mob attacked Tulsa's thriving Black community, known as Black Wall Street, destroying hundreds of homes and businesses and killing hundreds of people.

Did Viola Fletcher receive reparations for the Tulsa Race Massacre?

Viola Fletcher participated in a lawsuit seeking reparations, but the Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed the case in June 2024.

Home / War and Conflict / Tulsa Race Massacre Survivor Dies at 111

Tulsa Race Massacre Survivor Dies at 111

25 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Viola Fletcher, a survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, passed away at 111.
She spent her later years advocating for justice and reparations for the attack.
Fletcher testified before Congress and sued for reparations following the massacre.

Tulsa Race Massacre Survivor Dies at 111

Viola Ford Fletcher, a poignant witness to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, passed away at 111. She vividly recalled the destruction of her childhood community, Black Wall Street, describing the smoke, looting, and terror. Fletcher, who survived the massacre at seven years old, spent decades seeking justice and reparations for the victims.

Her later years were marked by activism, including her testimony before Congress in 2021 and involvement in a lawsuit for reparations. Despite the lawsuit's dismissal by the Oklahoma Supreme Court, Fletcher remained a steadfast advocate, determined to educate the public about the massacre's devastating impact and the generational wealth lost.

Born in 1914, Fletcher lived a resilient life, working as a welder during WWII and later as a housekeeper for decades. Her memoir, "Don't Let Them Bury My Story," aimed to ensure the atrocities of the Tulsa massacre would not be erased from history.