Wilma Mankiller is most commonly known as the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. However, she was not only a chief but a community builder and activist. When a group of Native Americans occupied Alcatraz Island to protest US mistreatment of the Native population, Mankiller was inspired to involve herself in activism for the rights of her people.
Mankiller became the director of Oakland’s Native American Youth Center and later founded the Community Development Department for the Cherokee Nation. She improved access to clean water for Native Americans and helped restore acres of land. Mankiller became the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1985. She again improved water access, housing, education, and health care access. The population of her tribe more than doubled while she was serving, and the infant mortality rate declined. Though she faced sexism during her tenure as Principal Chief, she overcame it all to become the incredible leader she was.
Mankiller’s legacy continues as the new US Mint project that strives to commemorate women of color in American history features a quarter with her name and face on it. She was also inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and wrote an autobiography. Thousands of young Native American girls look up to her for being a strong and fearless leader who understood her people's needs.
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