Wilma Mankiller - Wikipedia Wilma Pearl Mankiller (Cherokee: ᎠᏥᎳᏍᎩ ᎠᏍᎦᏯᏗᎯ, romanized: Atsilasgi Asgayadihi; November 18, 1945 – April 6, 2010) was a Native American activist, social worker, community developer and the first woman elected to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation
Biography: Wilma Mankiller - National Womens History Museum Mankiller was elected to serve as the Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1985 She led for 10 years, guiding a sovereign nation whose population more than doubled, from 68,000 to 170,000, during her tenure Prior to being elected Principal Chief, she served as Deputy Principal Chief
Life Story: Wilma Mankiller - Women the American Story On November 20, 1969, a group of 89 Indigenous activists, including women and children, occupied Alcatraz Island The island near San Francisco had been a notorious prison The goal of the group was to raise awareness of the American government’s treatment of Indigenous people
Wilma Mankiller Led as the First Woman Principal Chief of the Cherokee . . . Mankiller spent her life leading, writing, and teaching people about Native American cultures, especially the Cherokee people She died in 2010, leaving a legacy of community-oriented policies that have served as a model for other tribal nations
Mankiller, Wilma Pearl | The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture Mankiller helped establish an Office of Tribal Justice in the U S Department of Justice and helped found the Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations Several life events as well as her Cherokee heritage motivated Mankiller to become active in Cherokee tribal affairs
MANKILLER, WILMA (b. 1945) | Encyclopedia of the Great Plains The first woman to lead the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, and the tribe's most influential principal chief since John Ross of the nineteenth century, Wilma Mankiller's dedication to her people and their future defines her life of public service and social activism
Wilma Mankiller: A Life of Leadership - Civics For Life As Principal Chief, Mankiller prioritized economic development, healthcare, education, and self-governance Under her leadership, the Cherokee Nation’s budget grew exponentially, and the tribe expanded its control over programs previously managed by the federal government