Viola Fletcher facts for kids

Viola Fletcher, also known as Mother Fletcher (née Ford; May 10, 1914 – November 24, 2025), was an American woman who lived to be 111 years old. She was born on May 10, 1914, and passed away on November 24, 2025. She was the oldest known survivor of a terrible event called the Tulsa race massacre. One hundred years after this event, she bravely spoke to the U.S. Congress about the importance of making things right for the past.

Viola Fletcher: A Voice for History

Early Life and Family

Viola Ford was born in Comanche, Oklahoma, on May 10, 1914. She was the second of eight children. Her parents were Lucinda Ellis and John Wesley Ford. Her younger brother, Hughes Van Ellis, was a baby during the massacre. He lived to be 102 years old, passing away in 2023. Viola's family home did not have electricity. Before moving to Tulsa, her family worked as sharecroppers on farms. In Tulsa, they attended St. Andrew, a Black Baptist church. Viola shared with Congress that she had to leave school after the fourth grade. This happened because of the difficult family situation after the massacre.

Remembering the Tulsa Race Massacre

When the Tulsa race massacre happened, Viola's family lived in Greenwood. This was a thriving Black neighborhood in Tulsa. It was often called "Black Wall Street" because of its many successful businesses. Viola was only seven years old at the time. On May 31, 1921, her mother quickly woke the family, and they had to flee their home. They lost everything they owned, except the clothes they were wearing. The events of that time stayed with Viola throughout her life. She often slept sitting up on her couch with the lights on. This was a way to feel safer after what she had experienced.

Speaking Up for Justice

In 2020, Viola Fletcher and other survivors took legal action. They filed a lawsuit against the city of Tulsa and other groups. They were seeking reparations, which means asking for amends for the harm caused. A judge dismissed the lawsuit in July 2023. However, Viola continued to speak out. On May 19, 2021, she testified before the U.S. Congress. She was joined by her brother Hughes and another survivor, Lessie Benningfield Randle. Viola bravely shared her memories of the terrible events. She spoke about the lasting fear and sadness she felt. She also mentioned how the city of Tulsa had used images of the massacre to make money. In 2022, a kind person named Ed Mitzen gave $1 million to Viola, her brother, and Lessie. This was to help them.

A Special Trip to Ghana

In August 2021, Viola and her brother Hughes went on a special trip. They traveled to Ghana in Africa. There, they met with the Ghanaian president, Nana Akufo-Addo. It was a very important visit. Viola was honored and crowned a queen mother. She was also given several Ghanaian names. These names included Naa Lamiley, which means "Somebody who is strong." Another name was Naa Yaoteley, meaning "the first female child in a family."

Sharing Her Story with the World

Viola Fletcher wanted to make sure her story was remembered. In 2014, she was interviewed for an oral history project. This project collected stories from people about their lives. In 2021, for the 100-year anniversary of the massacre, a special project was launched. It used AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology. This allowed people to ask Viola questions about her experiences. Her answers were shared through a conversational video. This project helped many people learn directly from her.

Her Life's Journey

In 1932, when Viola was 18, she married Robert Fletcher. They moved to California together. There, they both worked in shipyards. Viola worked as an assistant welder. After World War II, they returned to Oklahoma. They raised their three children there. Viola worked cleaning houses for many years. She continued working until she was 85 years old. Viola was lovingly known as Mother Fletcher. In 2023, she wrote a memoir with her grandson. It was titled Don't Let Them Bury My Story. On May 10, 2024, Viola Fletcher celebrated her 110th birthday. This made her a supercentenarian, a person who lives to be 110 or older. Viola Fletcher passed away on November 24, 2025. She lived a long and impactful life of 111 years.