Celebrating Clara Luper and the Historic OKC Sit-In

On a powerful Saturday morning, we had the immense honor of standing shoulder to shoulder with the Clara Luper Legacy Committee and a community united by history, courage, and the relentless pursuit of justice. The air was thick with emotion as we gathered to commemorate two pivotal moments that not only reshaped Oklahoma but also sent ripples across the nation.

Gathering in Unity: A Morning at Frontline Church

The morning began within the hallowed walls of Frontline Church, where the energy was palpable. Marilyn Luper Hildreth, daughter of the legendary civil rights leader Clara Luper, and the young activist who made the motion to initiate the 1958 sit-in at Katz Drugstore, opened the event with words that resonated deeply with everyone present. Her voice carried the weight of history and the legacy of a movement that began with bravery and determination in the face of relentless opposition. She reminded us that the fight her mother led, one in which she herself played a pivotal role, is far from over, and that the struggle for equality and justice is a continuous journey we must all commit to.

Marilyn Luper Hildreth, daughter of the legendary Clara Luper, reflects on her mother’s enduring legacy and the powerful impact of the 1958 sit-ins during the Clara Luper Legacy event.

A message from Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt

As Marilyn’s words hung in the air, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt took the stage. He recounted his children’s disappointment during a recent visit to Washington, D.C., where they found no mention of Clara Luper or the monumental 1958 sit-in at Katz Drugstore in national exhibits. The Mayor’s voice grew firm as he delivered a stark reminder: “When your own community and your own leadership aren’t talking about these stories, we can’t really expect anyone else to. To quote Clara Luper, ‘We’ll have to tell our own stories.’” With that, he announced an incredible step forward—within the next year, Oklahoma City will debut monuments to commemorate these historic events. It was a moment that sent a wave of anticipation through the crowd, a promise that the legacy of Clara Luper and the sit-inners would be cemented in the city’s fabric for generations to come.

Mayor David Holt shares exciting news: Monuments honoring Clara Luper and the 1958 sit-inners will soon debut in downtown Oklahoma City, preserving their legacy for generations to come.

Marching in the Footsteps of HistorY

Outside, the day’s events took on a solemn yet powerful tone. We lined up excited but reverent, led by several of the original sit-inners and sanitation workers. The march from Frontline Church to Kaiser’s Grateful Bean Cafe was more than a walk; it was a pilgrimage. We retraced the steps of those who, in 1958, bravely sat at the counters of Katz Drugstore, defying the cruel segregation laws of the time, and of those who, in 1969, fought for workers’ rights during the sanitation strike. As we walked, there was a collective sense of both the gravity of the past and the hope for the future.

Clara Luper and the NAACP Youth Council

The 1958 Sit-In at Katz Drugstore was a moment that changed the course of history. At a time when segregation was the law of the land, Clara Luper, a high school teacher and NAACP advisor, led her students in a peaceful protest that would ignite the sit-in movement across the country. These young activists, armed with nothing but their courage and conviction, sat at the whites-only lunch counter and quietly demanded their right to be served. Their bravery inspired similar actions throughout the South and marked a turning point in the struggle for civil rights.

The 1958 Sit-In at Katz Drugstore

In the summer of 1958, Oklahoma City became the epicenter of a groundbreaking movement that would shape the future of the civil rights struggle in the United States. Led by Clara Luper, a dedicated teacher and advisor to the NAACP Youth Council, the sit-in at Katz Drugstore was one of the earliest acts of peaceful protest against segregation. Luper, along with thirteen young African American students, including her daughter Marilyn Luper Hildreth, decided to challenge the status quo by sitting at the whites-only lunch counter and quietly ordering sodas.

The act was simple yet revolutionary. At that time, segregation was deeply entrenched in Oklahoma City, as it was across much of the United States. African Americans were not allowed to sit and eat at the same counters as white customers. The courage it took for these young students to sit at that counter knowing the possible consequences was immense. The protest was met with hostility and resistance, but the students remained nonviolent, embodying the principles of civil disobedience.

Their bravery paid off. Within days, the Katz Drugstore management desegregated its lunch counter, and the ripple effects of this success spread throughout the city and beyond. The sit-in inspired similar protests across the nation, becoming a significant moment in the larger civil rights movement. The actions of Clara Luper and the NAACP Youth Council proved that change was possible, even in the face of overwhelming opposition, and it marked the beginning of a series of sit-ins that would eventually lead to the desegregation of public spaces across the South.

The 1969 Sanitation Workers' Strike

A decade later, in 1969, Oklahoma City was again at the forefront of a critical struggle for civil rights, this time centered around labor rights and the dignity of African American workers. The sanitation workers' strike was a response to the appalling working conditions and racial discrimination faced by African American sanitation workers in the city. These workers were often paid less than their white counterparts, were subjected to dangerous and unsanitary working conditions, and were denied basic rights and protections.

The strike was a bold stand against the systemic racism that permeated the workplace. Workers demanded fair wages, safer working conditions, and respect from their employers and the city government. The strike gained momentum, drawing national attention and becoming a symbol of the broader struggle for economic justice and civil rights.

The strike was not just about better pay; it was about dignity and the right to be treated as equals. The movement garnered widespread support from civil rights leaders, including those who had been involved in earlier battles for equality. The sanitation workers' strike in Oklahoma City was part of a broader wave of labor activism across the country, including the more famous Memphis sanitation strike that led to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination.

In Oklahoma City, the strike ultimately led to improvements in working conditions and wages for the sanitation workers, but it also served as a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial and economic justice. The courage and resilience of these workers continue to inspire those who fight for workers' rights and equality today.

A Tribute at Kaiser’s Grateful Bean Cafe

Our march concluded at Kaiser’s Grateful Bean Cafe, a site steeped in historical significance, located about a block from the original Katz Drugstore, the backdrop of the first sit-in of the civil rights movement. Inside, Marilyn Luper Hildreth and Mayor Holt shared closing remarks, reinforcing the importance of community, memory, and ongoing action. Their words served as a powerful call to continue the work of those who came before us, ensuring that the legacy of the civil rights movement lives on.

As a sweet finale, everyone was served ice cream from Kaiser’s, a nod to the sit-ins that sparked change in our city. The event was a poignant reminder of the progress that has been made, and of the work that still lies ahead.

Looking Forward

It was clear that the spirit of those courageous acts still lives on. But there is still much work to be done. The issues of racial and economic injustice that Clara Luper and the NAACP youth council fought against are still present today. We left Saturday's event with a renewed sense of purpose, deeply grateful to have been part of this historic moment. Standing together in unity and strength, we are committed to continuing the work that Clara Luper and her students began so many years ago. The progress we make today will be a testament to their legacy and a step toward the more just and equitable world that they envisioned.

At IMPACT405, we believe that change begins with each of us. We are dedicated to playing a role in the ongoing fight for equity and justice, not just in Oklahoma, but across the nation. We invite you to join us in this important work, whether by participating in future events or simply standing up for justice in your daily life. Together, let’s stand firmly, or sit, in the ongoing fight for equity for all people.

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