Barbara Jean Wahru Cleveland

BARBARA JEAN WAHRU CLEVELAND: a scientist and science educator, an African-American women's rights activist, concert producer, drum circle leader and drumming teacher passed away at the OSU Wexner Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio on November 13, 2022, at age 77. Wahru was devoted to life-long learning and achieved many academic endeavors, often a trail blazer in her quest for education. A gifted percussionist and teacher, Wahru was a fixture on the women's music circuit, leading drumming workshops and circles at many festivals. She was a mighty woman, a mentor, colleague, and dear friend to many.

Born in 1945 in Oklahoma City to Melo Doretha and Robert Allen Cleveland, Wahru went to Dunbar Elementary, Moon Junior High and Douglas High School. Growing up, she loved music, especially jazz, and played the guitar, ukulele, harmonica, accordion, and bongos. She took chorus and band in high school but was mostly self-taught, especially with drumming, as she spent hours listening to and drumming along with various types of music.

Wahru attended Central State University (later changed to the University of Central Oklahoma) where she received a BS in Chemistry and Biology in 1967 and a BS in Medical Technology in 1968. She played a pivotal part in integrating that institution. While at Central State University, Wahru played sports - including field hockey, fencing, softball, and badminton - and met many women who became lifelong friends. She later officiated both volleyball and field hockey for local high school and college matches.

Wahru received a Master's Degree in Public Health in 1976 from the University of Oklahoma and was a professor in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department at the OU Health Sciences Center for ten years. She moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1988 to pursue a PhD in Pathology and Education at Ohio State University and taught in the Ohio State School of Allied Medical Professions. Wahru (or Barbara, as she was known in the workplace) had a successful scientific career and worked as a laboratory supervisor, medical technologist, and toxicologist in the County Coroner's Office. In later years Wahru taught courses in laboratory science, phlebotomy, physiology, anatomy, and forensic toxicology in Columbus.

In 1981 a group of women started working on rehabilitating a storefront and fundraising to open a women's bookstore, to be called La Salle de Femmes, in Oklahoma City. They did a lot of work but then the effort began to fall apart. One of the original organizers moved out of state and turned over the building and funds raised for the bookstore as well as some book stock to Barbara. Barbara was a great leader and organizer; she and many volunteers worked tirelessly to continue the project. The name of the bookstore was changed to Herland, and it became a nonprofit organization. Herland grew into a retail bookseller, lending library, coffeehouse, and began putting on women's retreats twice a year at state parks. After Herland was going strong, Wahru handed off operation of the bookstore to a newly-formed collective. Herland continues to this day and the Herland Library is now housed at the University of Central Oklahoma, Wahru's alma mater. Herland is one of Wahru's greatest legacies and she impacted many lives through the creation of the organization.

Wahru had a great passion for women's music. She brought in national talent from the women's music circuit to perform in Oklahoma City and at the Herland retreats. Wahru and a local feminist group called The Production Company produced numerous women's concerts in Oklahoma City. Either alone or with the company, Wahru produced many concerts, including Gayle Marie, Sharon Riddell, Margie Adam, Meg Christian, Holly Near, Robin Flower, Safiya Henderson-Holms, Casselberry-Dupree, Judy Fjell, and Nancy Day.

After moving to Columbus, Ohio in 1988, drumming became an even more important part of Wahru's life. She formed multiple drumming groups, including Spirit Drummers, the Columbus Community Drummers, and Sistah Ngoma, and was a member of the women's jazz band "MOXIE." She was a co-founder and leader of the Women's Drum Chorus at National Women's Music Fest. She also made many African style drums and gave them to those closest to her. Wahru's energy with the drum was powerful and her smile joyful. She lit up any room she walked into. She loved to teach, was welcoming, and made everyone feel special. Her mantra for helping others to learn drumming was, "If you can say it, you can play it." She made playing fun for professionals and novices.

Wahru was passionate about many social causes, and gave generously of her time, money, and talent for the benefit of others. Her many volunteering efforts included: Pathways, Central Community House, senior centers, Girlz Rhythm n' Rock Camp, Marysville Reformatory for Women, and immigration services. Wahru promoted good health, teaching smoking cessation workshops, and was a champion of voting rights, providing education regarding voting machines and current laws. Wahru was always involved in her community, teaching courses for the Red Cross, the Ohio Sickle Cell and Health Association, and the Friends of the Homeless drug rehabilitation program. She also taught a self-defense class at National Women's Music Fest and led the Women of Color initiative and related activities there.

Wahru loved her family and was especially close to her brother, Charles, as they were only one year difference in age. She loved having a "baby sister" Clara and was present when both of her nieces were born. She championed her niece Kendra's career as an engineer and she was very proud of both of her nieces' accomplishments. Wahru loved being called "Aunt Grandma" by her great-nephews and great-niece.

Wahru is survived by her brother Charles Cleveland of Oklahoma City, sister Clara Alexander of Oklahoma City, nieces Naida (and Joseph) Bitsko of Norman, OK and Kendra Alexander of Edmond, OK, four great-nephews, Joseph, Nathaniel, Rudolph, and Reinhart Bitsko, a great-niece, Melo Grace Bitsko, and special friend, Joyce Maurer of Westerville, OH. She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Clara (Johnson) Nelson, mother, Melo Nelson (Cleveland) Alexander, father, Robert Cleveland and many ancestors, known and unknown.