• Viola Ford Fletcher, a major civil rights advocate, has died at age 111.
• She was one of the last survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, a significant event in US history.
• Fletcher campaigned for justice and recognition of the massacre for decades.
• The Tulsa mayor praised her as a beacon of resilience and purpose.
• The Tulsa Race Massacre resulted in the deaths of an estimated 300 residents and destroyed a thriving Black community.

Viola Ford Fletcher, recognized as the oldest living survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre, passed away at the age of 111, as confirmed by her family. Fletcher had been an influential figure advocating for justice and recognition of this tragic chapter in US history, even testifying at a congressional hearing in 2021 about her experiences, which she described as an ongoing trauma: "I have lived through the massacre every day," she stated, emphasizing the psychological burden carried by survivors, according to Al Jazeera, AA, and BBC.

The Tulsa Race Massacre occurred from May 31 to June 1, 1921, when a white mob attacked the predominantly Black neighborhood of Greenwood in response to unfounded allegations against a Black man, Dick Rowland. This violence led to the destruction of more than 1,200 homes and businesses, resulting in significant loss of life and a devastating impact on the Black community, which was once considered a thriving economic hub known as “Black Wall Street.” Estimates suggest that as many as 300 residents died in this violent upheaval, although exact numbers remain elusive, according to Al Jazeera, AA, and BBC.

Throughout her life, Fletcher remained dedicated to raising awareness about the massacre and pushing for reparations, which directly addressed the historical injustices faced by the victims’ descendants. Despite her efforts, a 2024 lawsuit attempting to gain reparations was dismissed by the state’s Supreme Court. Nevertheless, the city recently proposed a $105 million reparations package to aid the affected community, highlighting the continuing legacy of the massacre in contemporary times, as reported by Al Jazeera, AA, and BBC.