Background

Clara Luper, known to many as the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement, took her place at the head of the Oklahoma Sit-In Movement, August 19, 1958.  With courage and persistence she taught that non-violent activism is the way to freedom.

Main Focus

Mrs. Luper speaks with audiences of all ages.  She tells of the challenges, set-backs, and victories of the early activists, how far we've come in America, and of dreams yet to become a reality.

Availability

Mrs. Luper speaks to audiences in churches, high schools, universities, prisons, sororities, juvenile homes, throughout the state of Oklahoma, and beyond.

Political Involvement

~Organized various State and Local Political Campaigns.
~A candidate for the United States Senate in 1972.
~Leader of various Voter Registration Drives.

Honors

During Mrs. Luper's extraordinary career, she has received 471 awards and honors.  The most recent is the passing bill 2715 by The House of Representatives to name a state highway in her honor.

Special Achievements

~1st African American Vice President for the Oklahoma City Social Science Teacher's Association.
~1st African American Vice President of the Oklahoma County Teacher's Association.
~1st African American student to enroll in the History Department at the University of Oklahoma.
~Wrote, Produced and Directed the movie "Brother President," the story of Dr. M.L. King, Jr.
~Rebuilder of Freedom Center, "Home of the Civil Rights Monument," after it was bombed.
~Founder of the Black History Monument and Wall.
~Founder of Freedom Center Inc.
~Co-Founder of The Miss Merry Christmas Pageant.

Civil Rights Involvement

~Leader of America's 1st Highly Publicized "Sit-In" in America's History in 1958.
~Leader in the Oklahoma City School Integration Fight.
~Leader of the March to Lawton, OK to integrate Doe Amusement Park.
~Participated in the Historic March on Washington, D.C.; Selma, Alabama and every other major march in America.
~Arrested 26 times in Civil Rights Activities.
~Led Tulsa's first "Freedom March" to integrate public accommodations.
~Organizer of the Oklahoma City Sanitation Strike.
~Wrote BEHOLD THE WALLS, a 346-page book.

Fee

Negotiable.  Proceeds go to the Freedom Center of Oklahoma City.