Wilma Mankiller

Wilma Pearl Mankiller (1945–2010) was a Cherokee activist, community organizer, and writer who served as the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, holding office from 1985 to 1995. Born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, she became a prominent advocate for tribal sovereignty, grassroots development, and improved health, education, and housing for Cherokee citizens. Her leadership emphasized community-based projects and expanded services within the Nation. Mankiller also wrote about her life and public work, including the memoir *Mankiller: A Chief and Her People* (1993), and contributed essays reflecting on Native identity, history, and civic responsibility. She remains an influential figure in Indigenous leadership.