THE CLARA LUPER LEGACY
CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST
2012.201.B0366B.0546 Oklahoma Publishing Company Collection, Oklahoma Historical Society, July 4, 1964.
Join us for the anniversary of the sit-in movement
UPDATE
Webmaster
8/3/2021
The Clara Luper Legacy Committee is hosting the re-enactment of the Katz Sit-in.
On August 19, 1958, Clara Luper with thirteen children from the NAACP Youth Council went down to Katz Drug Store in Oklahoma City. This particular drug store would not serve Blacks at the lunch counter. Clara and the children walked in, sat down at the counter, and ordered thirteen Cokes.
They were refused service.
Read more on "Clara's Story" page.
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Full schedule of the Freedom Fiesta events!!
Aug. 7, 2021
KOCO News
The Clara Luper Legacy Committee will be hosting the Freedom Fiesta. Joyce Jackson remembers the peaceful protest like it was yesterday.
“It was a scary time now to look back on it, but at that time we were too young to be afraid,” Jackson said.
Sixty-three years ago, she and other students of history teacher Clara Luper peacefully protested at the Katz Drug Store.
A BRIEF HISTORY
The story of Oklahoma City's leading civil rights activist
2012.2012.B1439.0757 Oklahoma Publishing Company Collection, Oklahoma Historical Society
Marilyn Luper Hildreth
In order to understand where we are going, we must understand where we have been. It is our responsibility to tell the story of the Oklahoma civil rights movement. My mother, Clara Luper, loved and was totally involved in her community. She believed all children could learn and referred to them as her diamonds. She always dreamed of a better day. And would say to us, "I want you to go to places I have never been and dream dreams I have never had." I would often ask her after a demonstration when people would spit on us, kick us, laugh, and call us names, "Do I have to love these people?" She would say, "You have no choice. You must love your enemies as you love yourself."
About Us
The Clara Luper Legacy Committee works to support the sit-in and civil rights movement, Oklahoma, and the nation.
We are here to educate and
to keep the story of educator and activist, Clara Luper, alive.