Library YouTube Break #19
Nancy Randolph Davis on Clara Luper

It is a sad day in Oklahoma and throughout the nation. Civil rights pioneer Clara Luper has died at the age of 88 following a long illness. Oklahoma State University’s Edmon Low Library is sharing a special video from their Oklahoma Oral History Research Program archives to commemorate this life well lived. It features OSU alum Nancy Randolph Davis discussing her work with Ms. Luper.

Ms. Luper’s contribution to desegregation and civil rights in our state is immense. She helped establish the Youth Council of the Oklahoma City chapter of the NAACP, and organized the 1958 sit-ins to desegregate Oklahoma City businesses.

Her 1979 autobiography, Behold The Walls, has become a sought-after work by historians and students of history, with limited copies often commanding $100+ prices on Amazon and E-bay. (Don’t forget, you can request this book through Interlibrary Loan at your local library.)

Visit NewsOK’s special coverage of this pioneer. You’ll see other photos and videos along with her obituary. Plus you can access past articles about Ms. Luper.

And now, Ms. Davis talks about Clara Luper…

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