Latest news with #ClaraLuper
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Saving the USS Batfish is a smart investment in Oklahoma's history, tourism
Nearly every Oklahoman has a story about the Batfish. For decades, the USS Batfish has anchored itself in the hearts of families, children, veterans and history lovers across our state. It's more than a historic vessel ― it's a tourism asset that has drawn visitors from across the country and served as a powerful reminder of the courage and sacrifice of our military service members. Preserving the Batfish is not just about protecting a landmark; it's about ensuring future generations understand the sacrifices made by those who helped shape Oklahoma and our nation. The Batfish is no ordinary exhibit. This World War II submarine is a national treasure, known for accomplishing an extraordinary feat ― sinking three enemy submarines in just 76 hours. That achievement made the Batfish legendary in naval history and helped shift the tide of war in the Pacific. After the war, the submarine found its permanent home in Muskogee, where it quickly became one of Oklahoma's most beloved and unique historical attractions. For years, the Batfish served as an immersive museum experience. Visitors walked its narrow passageways, stood in its control room and gained a visceral appreciation for the bravery of those who served. But that experience has been on hold since 2019, when severe flooding damaged and displaced the vessel. Without urgent action, this iconic symbol of military valor risks being lost forever. Thankfully, we have a clear and promising path forward. A plan is in place to relocate the Batfish to Port Muskogee's Three Forks Harbor and incorporate it into the forthcoming Oklahoma War Memorial & Museum. This visionary project not only ensures the Batfish's restoration and preservation ― it transforms it into the centerpiece of a new, premier cultural destination that will honor veterans, educate visitors and boost Oklahoma's tourism economy for generations to come. More: Grayson is seeking funding to restore the high school Clara Luper attended Tourism is one of Oklahoma's fastest-growing and most impactful industries, contributing a record $11.8 billion in visitor spending in 2022. Before the floods, the Batfish welcomed tens of thousands of visitors annually who supported local restaurants, hotels and businesses. With restoration and strategic placement near the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame and the Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center, the Batfish will help establish Muskogee as a vibrant cultural and historical hub. Yet even more than the economic return, this effort is about respect ― for the men and women who wore the uniform, and for future generations who deserve to learn from their stories. When a student steps aboard the Batfish, they're not just seeing a submarine; they're experiencing history, understanding sacrifice and drawing inspiration. Together, we can protect a legacy, grow our economy and invest in a future that celebrates the strength, sacrifice, and spirit of Oklahoma. Sterling Zearley is the executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: A facelift is in the works for Oklahoma's USS Batfish | Opinion
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Oklahoma Historical Society announces Clara Luper's Radio Show episodes
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — On Friday, the Oklahoma Historical Society Research Division reported the release of more than 200 episodes of the 'Clara Luper Radio Show' debuting on OHS Audio Archives YouTube channel. OHS leaders say, Luper was a teacher and Civil Rights leader. Luper's activism in the late 1950's sit-ins helped to end segregation in public places across Oklahoma. Bill locking the clock on standard time in OK passes committee The 'Clara Luper Radio Show' ran for more than four decades. Most of the episodes that the OHS Research Division have digitized are from the 1980s and 1990s. The show gives first-hand accounts and experiences of the community by discussing the Civil Rights Movement, community events, and educational topics. Additionally, the Clara Luper archives can be found on The Gateway to Oklahoma History. The Clara Luper Collection has more than 220 digitized items available to the public, including campaign flyers, letters, brochures, and reports. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lunch counter sculpture to honor Civil Rights Activist Clara Luper in the heart of downtown
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — The life and legacy of Clara Shepard Luper will be on full display in the heart of downtown. A monument is being made in her honor to commemorate the Katz Drug Store sit-in, which was one of the first lunch counter sit-ins in America. The Katz Drug Store Sit-In was led by Clara Luper, a high school history teacher, and the NAACP Youth Council. 100 of the best books by Black Americans Mrs. Luper was born in Okfuskee County in 1923. She was a mother, educator, and mentor to young adults. She was a beacon of strength, courage, and change. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt felt the city needed a permanent tribute to Luper. 'America has always had some serious flaws since its very founding. But also baked into its governing documents, had the the tools to fix those and address those flaws so people like Clara Luper can utilize those tools,' said Mayor Holt. Black-owned barbershop thrives for 50 years as community hub Mrs. Luper's daughter, Marilyn Luper-Hildreth remembers her mother as a dreamer. 'Mom would say, I want you to go places I've never been, and I want you to dream dreams I have never dreamed.' 'She believed that we could achieve anything that we wanted to achieve,' she said. In 1958, Clara Luper led a group of 13 students, including her daughter Marilyn and her son Calvin, to conduct a sit-in at the Katz Drug Store in downtown Oklahoma City, demanding they be served in a climate plagued with segregation. Mayor David Holt believes the 'sit-in' tactic was one of the most important tactics of the civil rights movement throughout the 1960s. 'We need these stories to be told in the places where we all congregate, and obviously downtown is sort of our shared neighborhood for all the people of Oklahoma City,' Mayor Holt said. How trailblazing Black police captain paved the way for change The bronze monument being made in her honor will consist of life-size sculptures and be placed where the Katz Drug Store stood on Robinson Avenue and Main Street. John Kennedy is one of the co-chairs for the plaza, now six years in the making. 'It's a story that we really have overlooked. We haven't really told this story and talked about the success right here in Oklahoma City,' said Kennedy. Members of the committee for the project selected sculptors out of Brooklyn, New York, to create the monument. Local sculptor LaQuincey Reed worked on the project as well. Mrs. Luper-Hildreth said they have a target date for completion in May, with the unveiling to follow. 'They're going to tell a story about a place called Oklahoma City that changed the course of human history. And I'm so glad that the young people in this area, led by my mom, had the nerve enough to do it,' said Mrs. Luper-Hildreth. Members on the committee are: Joyce Jackson, Joyce Henderson, Sam Presti, David Rainbolt, Misty Doney, Leonard Benton, Steve Lackmeyer, Bill Lance, Collin Fleck, John Michhael Williams, Marilyn Luper-Hildreth, Rev. Lee Cooper, and John Kennedy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Clara Luper resisted Oklahoma City segregation. What change will you make?
History teaches us that the biggest changes often start with the smallest actions. A single voice, a single act of courage, a single refusal to accept injustice — each can ripple outward in ways no one could have predicted. And yet, those ripples don't start on their own. Someone has to be willing to make the first move. This is a testament to the power of small actions in creating meaningful change, giving us hope and optimism for the future. More: How I learned about Clara Luper and another OKC hero | Opinion More than a year before the famous Woolworth's sit-ins, a small group of young people sat down at an Oklahoma City lunch counter and quietly changed history. Led by their teacher, Clara Luper, these students took one small step that became part of a much larger movement. A local high school teacher and civil rights activist, Luper organized the first sit-in at Katz Drug Store in 1958. At the time, segregation was the norm. Black customers could shop in stores but were not allowed to sit and eat at the lunch counters. Luper and her students believed that needed to change. They didn't carry signs or shout in protest. Instead, they walked in, sat down and asked for service. They were ignored. They were insulted. But they did not move. Their silent resistance lasted for days. Slowly, public pressure built and, eventually, Katz Drug Stores desegregated all of its locations. One action in one city. A handful of determined teenagers. A teacher with a vision. And yet, that sit-in helped lay the foundation for the lunch counter protests that would spread across the South in the 1960s, shaping the civil rights movement as we know it today. Opinion: Black professionals can succeed despite Trump. Here's how. Clara Luper understood something powerful, and it's a lesson we desperately need today: We don't have to wait for permission to demand change. We don't need an army to make a difference. Sometimes, all it takes is stepping forward, even when others hesitate. Her work wasn't about making grand speeches but about taking action, however small, and inspiring others to do the same. This Black History Month, Clara Luper's story reminds us that history is not made by just prominent people — it's shaped by everyday folk willing to take a stand. This recognition of the role of ordinary individuals in shaping history should make us all feel valued and important in the fight for justice. These lessons are becoming increasingly important these days. Too many of our elected officials are purposefully seeking attention through outrage so they can gain political power for themselves. Too often, the cost of that notoriety comes at the expense of communities that have been historically and purposefully marginalized. In difficult times like this, we must remember that change begins with small acts of courage. Whether it's speaking up in a meeting, helping a neighbor, or challenging unfair policies, we all have opportunities to make a difference. Clara Luper and her students didn't set out to change the world in one day. They simply sat down at a lunch counter and refused to move. That's how change happens — one small step at a time. My question to you: What small step will you take today? Angela Monson is a former member of the Oklahoma Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives and currently is the legislative and outreach director for the Oklahoma Policy Institute and its grassroots advocacy program, Together Oklahoma. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma City's Clara Luper set an example to follow | Opinion
