ARTS • events

Rose hill Cemetery Tour 2003

Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher

1924-1995

Ada Lois was born February 8, 1924, the third of four children born to Rev. Travis and Mrs. Martha Bell Sipuel.  Her strong family structure immersed in religious beliefs, moral values, civic responsibility and love for humanity set the foundation for her life.  During her years at Lincoln School, she was active in band, choir, oratorical contests, and basketball and was valedictorian of her class in 1941.  In 1944, Ada Lois married Warren Fisher from Chickasha who was serving in the military at Fort Sill.  He was a constant source of encouragement and support to his wife throughout her educational and professional endeavors.  Following her graduation with honors from Langston University, she applied for admission to the University of Oklahoma Law School but was denied because of her race.  After lengthy court battles in state courts and the federal Supreme Court, Ada Lois was admitted to the OU Law School and graduated in 1951.  She later earned a master’s degree in history at the University of Oklahoma, and in 1952 she began practicing law in Chickasha.  In 1957 she joined the Langston University faculty where she chaired the Department of Social Sciences and served as Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs until her retirement in 1987.  She continued her work through a variety of civic, civil rights, and educational activities.  As a result of her community involvement and positive contributions to the state of Oklahoma, the Governor appointed Ada Lois to serve on the Board of Regents for the University of Oklahoma.  She maintained a life-long commitment to Christian principles and remained an active member of the church.  Ada Lois passed away on October 18, 1995.      

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