Tulsa Race Massacre Survivors Cast Votes, City Nears Historic Election and Memorial Service

In a poignant display of resilience and civic engagement, survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre have cast their votes in the recent elections. Viola Ford Fletcher, 110 years old and the oldest survivor of the massacre, voted in Oklahoma, marking a significant moment in her life and in the history of the city.

Meanwhile, the city of Tulsa is on the cusp of a historic milestone as it prepares to potentially elect its first Black mayor, Monroe Nichols, 103 years after the devastating racial violence that ravaged the city’s Black community. This election underscores the city’s journey towards healing and representation.

In addition to the electoral developments, the City of Tulsa continues its efforts to honor and remember the victims of the 1921 massacre. A memorial service is planned for November 12 to honor the remains of those exhumed during the ongoing search for unmarked burials. This service is part of the city’s broader initiative to acknowledge and commemorate the lives lost during the tragedy.

Lessie Benningfield Randle, another 109-year-old survivor, also cast her vote, expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the democratic process. Her vote was particularly meaningful as she stated it could be her last ballot, and she was grateful it was for Vice President Kamala Harris.