National Program Honors Trailblazer Wilma Mankiller, First Female Cherokee Nation Principal Chief

The first woman to be the Cherokee Nation’s Principal Chief is getting a nationwide honor. Wilma Mankiller died in 2010, but the stories of her activism and advocacy continue, this time on an American coin.

"She was quite a force. When she became Chief in the 1980s, Cherokee Nation was still trying to regain its footing from nearly a century of oppression and suppression of our government by the United States," said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. 

As the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, Wilma Mankiller took a seat in history a woman had not occupied before and brought national attention to tribal and women's rights. 

"She was very bold in what she expected the United States to do, which was to provide resources that they were obliged to do and to get out of the way of the Cherokee Nation so that we could chart our own destiny," said Hoskin. "She was someone who survived in an office that had been dominated by men. I think she sparked a generation, particularly a generation of Cherokee girls, about what was possible."

She was a unique voice, a powerful voice, and an undeniable voice.

"I think in some way we all identified with Wilma Mankiller, she came from humble beginnings, but she just did extraordinary things," said Hoskin. "I think for people in my generation, to just know that not only did we love Wilma Mankiller but the rest of the world was curious about her and impressed by her, I think that filled us with pride, it certainly filled me with pride about what it meant to be Cherokee."

Her mark on society is so profound the United States Mint has decided to honor Mankiller along with other female trailblazers on a special series of quarters beginning next year. 

"That sense that we had a place in this world and that this world recognized us and that they viewed us in a positive way - that is what happened during her life,” Hoskin said. “After her passing it is still happening and I think this coin really is a great symbol in terms of what it means for Cherokee Nation to be recognized.”  

More details will be released about the American Women Quarters Program in the next couple of months.