Wilma Mankiller, 1945-2010, was the first woman elected to the position of principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. Photo from All Things Cherokee
The winner of the Women on 20s campaign will be announced on May 12. Wilma Mankiller, who the first woman elected to lead the Cherokee Nation, is one of four candidates on the group's final ballot. Voting closes at 11:59pm on Mother's Day this Sunday so time is running out for Indian Country to make its mark on the campaign.
A potential rendering of Wilma Mankiller on the $20 bill. Image from Women on 20s
According to the group, more than 600,000 people have voted so far since the ballot opened 10 weeks ago. Mankiller has remained a prominent choice, based on the news coverage of her inclusion on the ballot. The winner will be announced at 9am on Tuesday. A petition will then be delivered to President Barack Obama to seek his support for placing a woman on the $20 bill. The Department of Treasury has the authority to change the current face of the $20 bill -- president Andrew Jackson, who forced the Cherokee people and other tribes to walk the Trail of Tears away from their homelands.
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