Women are in charge of nine of Arizona's 22 federally recognized tribes.

Two of the largest tribes made history recently by electing their first female leaders. Herminia Frias was elected chair of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe last month. Vivian Juan-Saunders was elected chair Tohono O'odham Nation last year.

Two other tribes also recently elected female leaders. Joni Ramos is serving as president of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. Kathleen Wesley-Kitcheyan is chair of the San Carlos Apache Tribe.

One anthropologist says the first woman to become leader of a U.S. tribe was Viola Jimulla, who led the Yavapai-Prescott Tribe in Arizona for 26 years.

Get the Story:
Arizona tribes make history (The Arizona Republic 7/6)

Related Stories:
Pascua Yaqui Tribe chooses first woman as chair (06/14)