In a remarkable display of civic engagement that bridges a century of struggle, Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the devastating 1921 Tulsa race massacre, cast her ballot in the 2024 election at the extraordinary age of 110. According to a close source, Fletcher proudly voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, a choice that carries the weight of a tragic history and the hope for a more just future.
A Survivor’s Unwavering Resolve
Viola Ford Fletcher’s life story is a testament to resilience in the face of unimaginable adversity. In 1921, when she was just seven years old, a white mob descended upon the thriving African American community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, known as “Black Wall Street.” The ensuing violence and destruction left an estimated 300 Black residents dead, over 1,200 homes and businesses destroyed, and thousands homeless.
Despite bearing witness to this horrific chapter in American history, Fletcher has remained a steadfast advocate for racial justice and reconciliation. In 2021, on the 100th anniversary of the massacre, she bravely testified before Congress in support of reparations for the survivors and their descendants.
“I will never forget the violence of the white mob when we left our home. I still see Black men being shot, Black bodies lying in the street. I still smell smoke and see fire. I still see Black businesses being burned. I still hear airplanes flying overhead. I hear the screams. I have lived through the massacre every day.”
– Viola Ford Fletcher, testifying before Congress in 2021
A Vote for Justice and Progress
Fletcher’s decision to cast her ballot for Kamala Harris, the first woman, first Black American, and first South Asian American to hold the office of Vice President, carries profound symbolic significance. It represents a powerful act of resistance against the forces of racism and oppression that have shaped her life and the lives of countless others.
In her memoir, “Don’t Let Them Bury My Story,” released in 2023, Fletcher recounts the enduring impact of the Tulsa massacre on her life and her tireless efforts to secure justice for the survivors. Her vote for Harris can be seen as an extension of this lifelong commitment to equality and progress.
A Legacy of Resilience
Fletcher is not alone in her determination to make her voice heard at the ballot box. Lessie Benningfield Randle, another survivor of the Tulsa massacre, also cast her vote in the 2024 election at the age of 109. Like Fletcher, Randle sees her vote as a powerful statement of hope and defiance.
“My grandchildren deserve a world where taking care of their parents isn’t a financial struggle, medication is affordable and women are free. And our children deserve a president who will inspire them to learn from history, not a tyrant who will try to erase it.”
– Lessie Benningfield Randle, 109-year-old Tulsa race massacre survivor
The votes cast by Fletcher and Randle serve as a poignant reminder of the long and ongoing struggle for racial justice in America. They are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of individual action in the face of systemic oppression.
A Call to Remember and Act
As the nation continues to grapple with the legacy of racism and inequality, the voices of survivors like Viola Ford Fletcher and Lessie Benningfield Randle serve as a clarion call to remember the past and work towards a more equitable future. Their votes for Kamala Harris are not just a personal choice, but a powerful symbol of hope and a demand for change.
In a society that too often marginalizes and erases the experiences of Black Americans, the act of voting takes on added significance. It is a way to assert one’s humanity, to claim a stake in the democratic process, and to demand accountability from those in power.
As we reflect on the courage and determination of these extraordinary women, let us also consider our own role in shaping a more just and compassionate world. Their example reminds us that the fight for equality is far from over, and that each of us has a part to play in building a society that truly lives up to its highest ideals.
In casting her ballot for Kamala Harris, Viola Ford Fletcher has not only exercised her fundamental right as a citizen, but has also sent a powerful message of hope and resilience that echoes across the generations. Her vote is a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit and a reminder that, even in the face of unspeakable tragedy, the pursuit of justice and equality must never waver.
