THE CLARA LUPER LEGACY
CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST
2012.201.B0366B.0546 Oklahoma Publishing Company Collection, Oklahoma Historical Society, July 4, 1964.
The Oklahoman
by Carla Hinton
4/24/2021
...The year was 1958 and Henderson was part of the NAACP Youth Council led by civil rights icon Clara Luper. The planned to go to Katz drug store to integrate the "whites-only" lunch counter as part of what became known as the Oklahoma City win-in movement.
But first they petitioned the Lord for guidance and protection in their righteous cause.
"You didn't leave to go picketing until you prayed," Henderson told a group of people recently gathered at First Presbyterian Church of Edmond, 1001 S Rankin.
The former longtime educator and civil rights activist was the guest speaker during a session of "A Great Cloud of Witnesses: the Theology Behind the Civil Rights Movement." The class is being taught by the Rev. Eric Laverentz, First Presbyterian-Edmond's senior minister. Laverentz took a class...
By KHTS Articles
4/19/2021
...Many activists were in elementary school when they joined the cause. Freeman Hrabowski had been just 12 years old when had been inspired to be a part of 1963's Birmingham Children's Crusade. He was told by Dr. King that what he does today is going to have an effect on the children who haven't yet taken birth.
Even though she was a child, Clara Luper had attended several meetings of the NAACP Youth Council as her mother had been the leader of the group. She was only 8 years old at the time.
Many college pupils postponed or sacrificed their formal education but they had been picking up the practical skills which would help in shaping their career. Michael Thelwell talks of a time when being a student activist with the non-violent action group...
By News 9
2/26/2021
...News 9's Colby Thelen spoke with Bruce Fisher about what you can learn at the Oklahoma History Center's Clara Luper exhibit.
(video accompanied with the link)
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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.