a biography of the day--wilma mankiller

[niyad]

Wilma Mankiller:

. . . . .

Wilma Mankiller became a community organizer for the Cherokee Nation, and was notable for her ability to win grants. She won an election as Deputy Chief of the 70,000 member Nation in 1983, and replaced the Principal Chief in 1985 when he resigned to take a federal position. She was elected in her own right in 1987 -- the first woman to hold that position. She was named Ms. Magazine's Woman of the Year in 1987 for her achievements.

. . . . .

Wilma Mankiller continued in her position as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation until 1995. During those years, she also served on the board of the Ms. Foundation for Women, and wrote fiction.

Having survived several serious illnesses and a major automobile accident earlier in her life, Mankiller was stricken with pancreatic cancer, and died April 6, 2010. Her friend, Gloria Steinem, had excused herself from participation in a women's studies conference to be with Mankiller in her illness.

. . . .

http://womenshistory.about.com/od/nativeamwomen/p/wilma_mankiller.htm

[DURHAM D]

1. I was fortunate -

to hear her speak and to spend a little time with her on different occasions The part her bio leaves out, she had a really wicked sense of humor. Very dry naturally.

[niyad]

2. thank you for sharing that with us. may one ask what the different occasions were?

can just imagine her sense of humour, though.