First Female Chief of the Cherokee Nation (and any other major Native nation), feminist and community developer.
Vitals:
Born: December 21, 1945 near Tahlequah, Oklahoma, not far from Mankiller Flats.
Namesake: Meaning one who protects, Wilma is named for an eighteenth century Cherokee ancestor and warrior.
Learning the hard way: In 1957, Wilma and her family were forced to move to San Fransisco as part of a government effort to urbanize impoverished Native Americans.
Pragmatic Beginnings: She first became involved with her people's plight when she raised money for Native prisoners in Alcatraz in 1969.
Following Up: Wilma became involved with land reclamation projects, co-founded an alternative Native school and headed a youth centre in the following years.
Family life: Wilma is married to Charlie Soap and has two daughters.
Big Break: After returning to her Oklahoma roots, she was elected Deputy Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. In 1985, she rose to the position of Principal Chief when her predecessor resigned. In 1987, she was re-elected to the position by her people.
Groundbreaker: As the first woman to serve as either Deputy or Principal Chief of a Native nation, Wilma was the subject of ample aggression. She was widely criticized and received death threats.
Big Business: Serving as Chief, she was responsible for over 150 000 people, 7 000 square miles of land $69 million. During her terms as chief, she increased Cherokee nation membership 55 000 to 156 000.
Major Issues: As one of the most prominent Native leaders, there are few issues that Mankiller has not dealt with. She has worked to bring industry to poor Native areas, increase adult literacy, improve the health care system and strengthen the Cherokee presence in the U.S. as well as intergovernmental ties.
Feminist Twist: An active feminist, Wilma has worked to improve the qualities of life of Cherokee women, specifically in the fields of health and education. She has also worked extensively with Native girls and teens.
Awards and Honours: She has been honoured countless times. Highlights include: Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame, 1986, American Indian Woman of the Year, 1986, Ms. Woman of the Year, 1987, Indian Health Service Award (U.S. Public Health Service), 1989, National Women's Hall of Fame, 1993.
Literary Tendencies: In 1993, Wilma wrote and published her auto-biography, A Chief and her People. She is also the co-editor of The Reader's Companion to the History of Women in the United States. Cool Quote: "Prior to my election, young Cherokee girls would never have thought that they might grow up and become chief."
Premature injury: After surviving a head-on traffic collision and seventeen operations on her right leg, Wilma is currently suffering from a chronic muscular disease. She retired from politics in 1994, but remains an advocate and a symbol for the empowerment of all Native peoples.
