Wilma Mankiller

Wilma Mankiller [1945 – 2010] was a Cherokee activist, social worker and community developer. As the first woman elected to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, she focused on improving the nation's government and health-care and education system. During her decade-long tenure, Mankiller’s leadership enabled the Cherokee Nation to become one of the most economically and culturally successful tribes in America. She is credited with transforming the nation-to-nation relationship between the Cherokee Nation and the federal government.