02/24/2025
Sarah Rector was a young African American girl who became famous in the early 20th century as one of the wealthiest Black children in the United States. Born on March 3, 1902, in Indian Territory (now part of Oklahoma), she was a member of the Creek Nation, a Native American tribe that had been forcibly relocated to the area.
The Land Grant and Oil Discovery
Under the Dawes Allotment Act, Sarah, like other Black children of the Creek Nation, was granted a parcel of land. Initially, her family struggled with this land because much of it was considered unsuitable for farming. However, in 1913, oil was discovered on her allotment, and it began producing thousands of barrels a day. This transformed Sarah from an ordinary girl into a millionaire practically overnight.
National Attention and Legal Challenges
As a result of her wealth, Sarah became a national sensation, attracting attention from newspapers and prominent Black leaders like Booker T. Washington and W.E.B. Du Bois. Because she was Black, the government initially placed her under a white guardian, as was common at the time for wealthy Black individuals. However, her case raised concerns about financial exploitation, and Black activists fought to ensure she retained control over her fortune.
Later Life and Legacy
Sarah Rector used her wealth to fund education and investments. She later moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where she lived a comfortable life, reportedly owning businesses and properties. She married twice and had children. Though she eventually faded from the public eye, her story remains an important chapter in African American and Native American history, highlighting issues of race, wealth, and legal control in early 20th-century America.
