Congress Honors Pioneering Chief Mankiller

On April 14, the House passed, by voice vote, a resolution, H. Res. 1237, honoring the life of Wilma Pearl Mankiller, the first woman to serve as principal chief of the Cherokee nation.

Sponsored by Rep. Dan Boren (D-OK), the resolution contains a number of findings, including:

• in 1983, Wilma ran for the office of deputy chief alongside Ross Swimmer, then principal chief of the Cherokee nation, and the two won the election and took office in August 1983;
• on December 5, 1985, Wilma was sworn in to replace Chief Swimmer as principal chief of the Cherokee nation, making her the first female to hold the office;
• Wilma was formally elected to serve as the first female principal chief of the Cherokee nation in 1987, and was overwhelmingly re-elected in 1991;
• during her time as principal chief, Wilma focused on education and health care, overseeing the construction of new schools, job-training centers, health clinics, community development, and award winning housing and water projects in low-income communities; and
• over the course of her three terms, Wilma made great strides to reinstate the traditional Cherokee culture and values, especially the role of women, reinvigorating the Cherokee nation through community development projects where men and women work collectively for the common good.

The resolution “expresses gratitude to Wilma Mankiller for her significant contributions to the nation, [being] an inspiration to women in Indian country and across America, and for leaving a profound legacy that will continue to encourage and motivate all who carry on her work; and deep sorrow at the passing of Chief Mankiller and condolences to her friends and family…as well as the Cherokee nation and all those who knew her and were touched by her good works.”