1923 - A Legend is Born
What does segregation look like? Does segregation still happen?
Photo portrait of Clara Luper, 2007. Oklahoma Hall of Fame Portraits and Busts Collection.
"She doesn't let you forget where you're from and I've been in her presence many times, and what makes me know that she is a real Oklahoman: wherever she is, she lets you know that she's from Hoffman, Oklahoma. And, to me, when you don't forget where you come from, then that tells me you are proud to be an Oklahoman."
- Joyce Henderson
1951 - Education is Power
Luper was the first Black person enrolled in the History Education program at the University of Oklahoma and graduated with a Masters degree in 1951. She went on to teach history in public schools across Oklahoma City for more than forty years! Luper was passionate about education, working closely with her students in and out of the classroom.
Why do you think Luper enjoyed teaching and working with children? Do you have a teacher who has made a big impact on your life?
Photo of Clara Luper with three students, May 30, 1954. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society.
"Without the prayers, the hope, the training, the investment, and the sacrifice of a lot of people, there would be no Clara Luper. I want to be remembered as a lover of people, who wanted, more than anything else, to help somebody, knowing that if I could help somebody, I would not have lived in vain."
- Clara Luper
1957 - NAACP Leadership
Luper was active in the fight for equal rights and equal treatment for Black people in the United States. She became Advisor for the Oklahoma City National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Youth Council in 1957. These children and adolescents fought bravely under Luper's leadership for many years and, together, they changed the course of history.
How did young citizens play an instrumental role in the Civil Rights Movement?
Photo of Clara Luper with members of the NAACP Youth Council, July 4, 1964. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society.
"Ms. Luper's tireless advocacy for equality for all, her passion for engaging the younger generation and her fearless nature made her one of the foremost civil rights advocates of our time."
- Roslyn Brock, NAACP Chairman 2011
August 19, 1958 - Katz Drug Store Sit-Ins
Luper pioneered a powerful strategy in the fight for Civil Rights. When members of the youth council entered and sat at the counter of Katz Drug Store in downtown Oklahoma City, which refused to serve Black people, they made history for the nation's first sit-in movement. Luper continued to use this method for fighting for Civil Rights in Oklahoma City and it would eventually be used by groups across the nation as a way to peacefully protest segregation.
Sit-in participants were often yelled at, spat on, or attacked. However, they kept calm and continued sitting peacefully until they were served. Why was this method successful? Do you think you would be able to keep calm in a similar situation?
Photo of children at the Katz Drug Sit-In, August 26, 1958. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society.
Photo of Clara Luper with a group at the Oklahoma City Police Headquarters. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society.
"I knew I was right, because somewhere I read in the 14th Amendment that I was a citizen and I had rights, and I had the right to eat. Within that hamburger was the whole essence of democracy. If you could deny me the right to eat, you could deny me the right to live or work where I want."
- Clara Luper
1965 - Peaceful Marches
Luper also participated in protests outside of Oklahoma, including the infamous march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, now known as "Bloody Sunday," with national Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr., among others, in 1965. When the peaceful marchers were attacked by police many were injured, including Luper who was cut badly on the leg. Despite the fear of violence she continued to lead peaceful protests in Oklahoma and was arrested many times.
What is a peaceful protest? Why are they important?
Photo of Clara Luper boarding a bus to go to a Civil Rights Protest, August 26, 1963. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society.
Photo by Jim Argo, of Clara Luper being arrested by Officer John Felder, August 21, 1969. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society.
"Oklahoma has always been a leader in human relations, and the battlefield—the Civil Rights battlefield—has been fought here in Oklahoma, and we have taken more cases to the Supreme Court than any other state in the history of America. And we have been able to do it because of the fact that the whites and coloreds have worked together."
- Clara Luper
August 19 - November 7, 1969 - OKC Sanitation Workers Strike
In 1969, Oklahoma City sanitation workers went on strike to demand better wages and job opportunities. Luper acted as spokesperson for the strike, working to raise awareness and gather support for the workers' cause. There were multiple marches and sit-in type demonstrations. Luper was arrested with several others during the course of the strike.
Why do you think Luper helped with this strike? If you had family who was alive during this time, ask them what they remember.
Tulsa Tribune article, October 9, 1969. Oklahoma Hall of Fame Members Collection.
"Clara Luper has been consistent in her commitment to equal opportunity and justice for all. She has stood the test of time in terms of giving of herself. She sacrificed. She's gone to jail. She's done all of those things, for what she truly believed in. A lot of us just talk about it; she experienced it and lived it. She's truly a drum major for justice."
- Ernest Holloway, Former President of Langston University
1971 - Run for the U.S. Senate
Eager to continue advocating for the betterment of life for all Oklahomans, Luper announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate in 1971. However, she lost the election the following year. Undeterred, Luper persevered and continued her work as a private citizen and activist. Losses are a part of life.
The important thing is to learn from your loss and, like Luper, to persevere! Have you ever lost a contest? How did you persevere?
Photo by Joe Miller, of Clara Luper speaking, November 16, 1971. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society.
"We've come a long way, believe me. We have come from the back of the buses to the front of the buses, to drivers, [and] to owners."
- Clara Luper
1989-1995 - Work Continues
Luper retired from teaching full time at John Marshall High School in 1989, but remained heavily involved in education across the state. She won a number of awards for her work, including one for her participation in the 1995 Black History Month Program, called "Reflection on 1895: Douglass, Dubois, and Washington."
Why do we award people with certificates and trophies? Have you received any honors or awards?
Certificate of Appreciation from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, February 22, 1995. Oklahoma Hall of Fame Members Collection.
Photo by Jim Argo, of Clara Luper teaching, May 25, 1989. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society.
"I learned from my white students; they learned from me. The beauty of America is in the diversity of her people. I've never been concerned whether the school officials opposed what I was doing or not. I was black before I was a schoolteacher, and I'm retiring black."
- Clara Luper
2007 - Induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame
In recognition of her impact on Oklahoma and the lives of all Americans, Luper received Oklahoma's highest honor when she was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame during our state's centennial. Luper attended the ceremony with her children who have carried on her work for equal rights and education. She was presented for induction by Justice Tom Colbert, the first African-American on both the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals and the Supreme Court, who was inducted ten years later.
Do you know someone who deserves to be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame?
Photo of Clara Luper and Justice Tom Colbert at the 2007 induction ceremony. Oklahoma Hall of Fame Members Collection.
Photo of Clara Luper and her daughter, Marilyn Luper Hildreth, at the 2007 induction ceremony. Oklahoma Hall of Fame Members Collection.
"If we shall overcome the poll tax, [and if] we shall overcome the legal segregation of schools and other things that took us some ninety-nine years to do ... then each generation has the responsibility of overcoming something else."
- Clara Luper
2011 - A Hero Dies, but Her Legend Lives On
Luper died June 8, 2011 at the age of 88 in her hometown after suffering from a lengthy illness. Upon her death, her casket was placed in the Rotunda of the Oklahoma State Capitol to lie in repose and the flags were flown at half-staff, a testament to the impact she had on our great state.
Photo of Clara Luper speaking before a crowd, January 15, 1990. Courtesy Oklahoma Historical Society.
"Our state has lost a wonderful person of conviction, passion, vision, and love. Clara Luper personified the greatness of Oklahoma and made our state a better place to live."
- Todd Lamb, Former Oklahoma Lt. Gov.