In 1902, Sarah Rector was born in Oklahoma, a child of both African American and Muscogee Creek descent. As a young girl, she was given 160 acres of land—land that most believed to be worthless. Dry, rocky, and tough to farm, it seemed more like a burden than a blessing.
But in 1913, when Sarah was only 11, everything changed. Oil was found beneath her land. Almost overnight, the wells started producing thousands of barrels daily, earning Sarah about $300 every day—roughly $10,000 in today’s money.
By the time she turned 18, Sarah was more than just wealthy from oil. She had invested smartly, owning businesses, stocks, and homes. She eventually relocated her family to Kansas City, Missouri, where she raised three children.
When the Great Depression hit, Sarah lost much of her fortune as oil profits and land values dropped. Yet unlike many who lost everything, she kept hold of her land and home. Sarah Rector passed away in 1967 at the age of 65, leaving her children land and property that continued her extraordinary legacy.
Her story is about much more than wealth—it’s about resilience, seizing opportunity, and the incredible strength of a girl who defied the odds of her era.