The life of Sarah Rector is crossed by slaveryracism, the money, isolation, fame, oil and inequality. The offspring of slaves, he lived in childhood difficulty and ended his days riding in expensive cars and investing in the stock market.

He was born on March 3, 1902 in the territories that now make up the city of Taft, in the state of Oklahoma. Your parents then African Americans with Amerindian roots. In that area is the hello one of the Five Civilized Tribes.

This term was applied by European settlers to refer to the tribes who adopted western customsfor example, the ownership of plantations and slaves.

In 1866 an agreement forced the indigenous territories to free the slaves and give them land. Because Sarah’s grandparents had become slaves, the girl – like her parents and five brothers – received large acres of territory that at first seemed useless.

An unavailable land

The maiden’s land is 64 acresof one floor not very fertile at rocky, not suitable for agriculture. Those who don’t think it’s worth it. The best plots were previously reserved for white settlers or pure-blooded Native Americans; instead, he got the worst of it.

Sarah’s father, Joseph, was tired of paying annual fees, which at the time were about $ 30 a year, for unproductive land. So he tried to sell, but no one wanted to buy. Eventually, he called on the Standard Oil Company to lease the parcel at a low price.

From that moment on, the seemingly useless and barren soil became the best of their lives. The company found an oil well that allows it to take in approximately 2,500 barrels a day. In 1913 the Earnings they are so amazing as unexpected, it reaches 300 dollars per day (about 8,000 current dollars).

“The Richest Colored Woman in the World”

So, Sarah Rector got the nickname of “richest colored woman in the world” with only 11 years. But you also need to consider the prejudices and the racism predominant in American society at the turn of the last century. By law he was appointed a “white mentor” to handle the Earnings of the woman, as has always been the case in these cases.

Instead, the media at the time began to echo the news of this African-American woman minana a real factory money. As a result, he began to receive from requests for loans up to proposals marriageEven though he is only 12 years old. In 1913, the Oklahoma Legislature declared it “white citizens“.

No, he only has money. But now he can enjoy certain privileges, such as traveling in a first-class train car.

For its part, The Chicago Defender, a newspaper associated with history Rights ng African Americansbegan to denounce being Sarah napugnit by their white mentors, so those close to power came to defend the interest of the woman and of her whole family.

Expensive cars, diamonds and a mansion

In 1914 Sarah was enrolled at Tuskegee Institute, a boarding school in Alabama. In 1920 he turned 18 and that was millionaire. there was money invested Actions and bonds, were purchased propertyland and business. He moved with his entire family to the mansion of the “Rector’s House” in Kansas City, Missouri. A house that still stands and belongs to a non-profit organization.

She married Kenneth Campbell, with whom she had 3 children, and lived extensively. From Cars from luxury and ready to wear, diamonds and plural property. They divorced in 1930 and in 1934 remarried William Crawford, a restaurant owner.

Of course, many whites are alarmed because they can’t imagine the idea that an African-American woman would have a life that was luxurious and better than theirs. However, she continues to enjoy her new standard of living. From poor woman to millionaire.

Many famous artists then passed by his restaurant, such as jazz musicians Count Bassie at Duke Ellington. And for his mansion there were also a few nights of partying with wine and distinguished guests.

Sarah Rector, the girl who became an overnight millionaire thanks to land of no choice, died at the age of 65, on July 22, 1967.