Editorial: Wilma Mankiller a woman of undaunted spirit

Opinion

Friday, April 9, 2010

"She was the first in modern times. Like so many firsts, she won’t be the last.

Because of the example set by Wilma Mankiller, Native American girls dream a not impossible dream of one day becoming leaders.

When they ascend to those leadership posts, those women will have the former Cherokee Nation principal chief’s record of humble and dedicated service to her people to emulate.

The longtime Native and women’s rights advocate died April 6 at the age of 64 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Mankiller served as principal chief of her people between 1985 and 1995 and is credited with improving conditions among the Cherokee. Under her leadership, the tribe nearly doubled its rolls to 170,000, raised $20 million to build infrastructure for schools and built an $8 million job-training center.

After retiring from public office in 1995, Mankiller continued to serve as an author and lecturer, earning the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Bill Clinton in 1998. She’s been active in civil rights and has served as a lobbyist supporting women’s and tribes’ activities and issues.

“As the Cherokee Nation’s first female chief, she transformed the nation-to-nation relationship between the Cherokee Nation and the federal government and served as an inspiration to women in Indian country and across America,” President Barack Obama said in a statement April 6."

Get the Story:
Editorial: A woman of undaunted spirit (Indian Country Today 4/9)

Relevant Documents:
CNO Press Release | White House Statement | DOI Statement