The First Woman Cherokee Chief: Wilma Pearl Mankiller

Find out all about Wilma Pearl Mankiller, the first woman Cherokee chief whose image will appear on a 2022 US quarter, in this Step 3 Biography Reader.

In 1985, Wilma Pearl Mankiller became the first woman Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. She had to convince her people that the chief should be the best person for the job, man or woman.

Before the English came to what is now the United States, Cherokee women and men shared the leadership of the tribe. This created balance. But the English colonists told the Native People that men should be in charge.
 
It stayed that way for many years, until Wilma Pearl Mankiller made history. She used the concept of gaduji, of everyone helping each other, to make the Cherokee Nation strong.
 
Step 3 Readers feature engaging characters in easy-to-follow plots and popular topics—for children who are ready to read on their own.

PATRICIA MORRIS BUCKLEY is a member of the Mohawk Nation. She has been writing professionally for more than thirty years, first as a journalist and then for children. She is an elementary school librarian, SCBWI regional advisor, avid reader, writing teacher, and mom. Visit nativeamericankidlit.com to find out more.

APHELANDRA is an illustrator of Oneida and Filipino descent. She is a senior designer at Albert Whitman & Company who plays sports when it's warm and video games when it's cold.