Living Legacy: 110-Year-Old Survivor of Tulsa Race Massacre Celebrates Milestone Birthday
Lessie Benningfield Randle, affectionately known as "Mother Randle," marked her 110th birthday on Sunday in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The celebration brought together family, friends, and community members to honor this remarkable milestone. She is one of only two remaining survivors of the tragic 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre.
The celebration was particularly meaningful as it brought together both surviving families. Mother Viola Fletcher, also 110 years old, attended the celebration. Both women represent living links to one of America's darkest chapters.
"It's a beautiful day," said Antonio Randle, Mother Randle's grandson, during the celebration. The significance of having two survivors reach such an advanced age was not lost on attendees. "This is once in a lifetime type of deal, and to have two of them still here at 110 is incredible."
Background on the Tulsa Race Massacre
The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre stands as one of the deadliest episodes of racial violence in American history. A white mob attacked Tulsa's Greenwood district, a prosperous Black neighborhood known as "Black Wall Street." Mother Randle was a young girl when she witnessed the devastating attack.
The massacre's catalyst mirrored other racial incidents of the era. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke noted that like the Emmett Till case, the violence began with claims about a Black youth's alleged inappropriate interaction with a white woman.
The attack destroyed the thriving Black community. Mother Randle has dedicated much of her life to ensuring this history isn't forgotten. She actively speaks out against attempts to censor Black history in education.
Role of Justice for Greenwood in Seeking Accountability
Justice for Greenwood, led by attorney Damario Solomon-Simmons, continues to fight for accountability and restitution. "Mother Randle has done a tremendous job of opening the country's eyes to the horrors of the Tulsa Race Massacre, its enduring impact, and the need for accountability and restitution," Solomon-Simmons stated.
The organization represents survivors and their descendants in ongoing legal battles. Their work focuses on securing justice for the community that lost everything during the massacre.
Solomon-Simmons praised Mother Randle's ongoing activism, saying, "At 110 years old, Mother Randle is still challenging America to live up to its purported values, which is the true measure of a patriot."
Survivors and Community Reflection
The Tulsa massacre's impact continues to resonate through generations. The recent passing of Hugh Van Ellis, known as "Uncle Red," at 102 left only Mother Randle and Mother Fletcher as living survivors.
Family members carry the weight of this history. Antonio Randle reflected, "I've been hearing about it my entire life." The community's pursuit of justice remains strong, even after more than a century.
The survivors' families recently achieved a significant milestone. They met with Department of Justice detectives for the first time, marking a new chapter in their quest for recognition and justice.
Federal Review of the Tulsa Massacre
The Department of Justice announced its first-ever federal review of the Tulsa Race Massacre in September 2023. This historic development falls under the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act.
While the DOJ acknowledges that living perpetrators are unlikely to face prosecution, the review serves a broader purpose. It recognizes the ongoing trauma experienced by descendants of survivors and victims.
The Justice for Greenwood team welcomes this development. Solomon-Simmons emphasized that survivors and their descendants seek a "full investigation" and accountability for harm that began in 1921 and continues to impact the community today.
