Clara Luper

Clara Luper

Clara Shepard Luper (May 3, 1923 – June 8, 2011) was a pioneering African American civil rights leader, educator, and activist. She is best known for her role in the sit-in movement that began in Oklahoma City, which was a significant event in the broader Civil Rights Movement in the United States.

Early Life and Education

Clara Luper was born in Okfuskee County, Oklahoma, and grew up in a segregated society. Despite the challenges of racial discrimination, she excelled academically. Luper attended Langston University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics in 1944. She later pursued a Master of Education degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1951, becoming one of the first African Americans to do so.

Civil Rights Activism

Luper's involvement in the civil rights movement began in earnest in the 1950s. As a teacher at Dunjee High School in Spencer, Oklahoma, she became the advisor for the NAACP Youth Council. Inspired by the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Luper and her students decided to take direct action against segregation.

The Katz Drug Store Sit-in

On August 19, 1958, Clara Luper led a group of 13 African American students in a sit-in at the Katz Drug Store lunch counter in downtown Oklahoma City. The students, aged 6 to 17, sat quietly and asked to be served. Despite being refused service and facing hostility, they remained nonviolent. This sit-in was one of the first of its kind in the United States and lasted for several days. Eventually, the Katz Drug Store chain agreed to desegregate its lunch counters, marking a significant victory for the movement.

Impact and Legacy

The success of the Oklahoma City sit-ins inspired similar actions across the country, contributing to the momentum of the civil rights movement. Luper continued to be an active leader, participating in marches and protests, and advocating for equality and justice.

Later Life and Recognition

Clara Luper continued to teach and inspire students throughout her life. She received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to civil rights, including induction into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame.

Luper's legacy is remembered through various memorials and educational programs. Her work laid the groundwork for future generations of activists and remains a testament to the power of peaceful protest and determination.

See Also

• Civil Rights Movement
• Sit-in movement
• NAACP

References

• "Clara Luper: Civil Rights Pioneer." Oklahoma Historical Society. Retrieved from [1]
• "The Sit-in Movement." National Civil Rights Museum. Retrieved from [2]

External Links

• Oklahoma Historical Society
• National Civil Rights Museum