Wilma Mankiller (1945–2010) was the first woman to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation and the first woman to lead a major Native nation, at a time when Cherokee Nation was the second‑largest tribe in the United States. She guided her people from 1985 to 1995, helping improve life across Cherokee Country and Indian Country (commonly understood as northeastern Oklahoma). She grew up with poverty, relocation, and serious illness, but turned those hardships into a lifelong commitment to “gadugi” (ᎦᏚᎩ, “gah-DOO-gee”), the Cherokee idea of working together for the common good, by expanding housing, health care, education, and clean water in Cherokee communities. As Chief, she supported community‑run projects, defended Cherokee sovereignty, and lifted up Cherokee women’s traditional leadership, while helping the Nation grow stronger in education, health, and self‑government.
I chose to share Wilma Mankiller’s story with my fellow Sacramento County League members this Women’s History Month because, although she is well known in Oklahoma and in Native communities, her story is less familiar outside those circles. As a Cherokee citizen myself, I know how her values and spirit continue to shape our Nation. In 2022, Wilma was honored on a U.S. quarter in the American Women series, and later this year Mankiller Capitol Park will open in the Cherokee Nation capital of Tahlequah, Oklahoma. This $10 million center reflects Wilma’s vision for a home that blends recreation, community, and cultural celebration. These tributes, along with many others, show her lasting legacy as a leader who helped rebuild her nation, empower her people, and open doors for future generations. To learn more, I encourage you to visit wilmamankiller.com, a beautiful tribute to her life and words.
(Submitted by Tommy Yap)
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