Melva Franklin's Story

In her oral history interview, Melva Franklin reflects on her childhood in Oklahoma City after returning from years away. Her family has called Oklahoma home for generations, from her father’s migration from Texas as a small child to her mother’s childhood in Wellston, Oklahoma.

Throughout the interview, Franklin expresses admiration for her father, Melvin Franklin, who was a monumental figure in local history as one of the first twelve Black firefighters hired to serve Oklahoma City. She reflects on the immense courage he displayed in the face of, at times, violent racial hostility and how his success opened doors for Black city workers in both the fire and police departments.