-
She was born on November 18, 1945 in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Her parents are Charley Mankiller and Irene Mankiller.
-
In 1956, at age 10, Mankiller and her family moved to San Francisco, CA as part of the BIA's relocation program. San Francisco was a hotbed of social activism in the 1960s-this time period helped shape the future Cherokee leader.
-
In 1963, at the age of 17, Mankiller got married to Hector Hugo Olaya de Bardi. This is also when she was greatly inspired by Native American activists reclaiming Alcatraz. It was also during this time that she realized she could no longer be just a housewife. This is also when she got a divorce and became a social worker.
-
Mankiller got a divorce and decided to move back to Oklahoma because she wanted to be among her people to help them.
-
Mankiller decided to run for chief deputy of the Cherokee Nation and won. She served for 2 years.
-
Mankiller then ran for principal chief and won, becoming the first woman ever to serve as principal chief of the Cherokee people. She was chief from 1985-1991.
-
Mankiller got married again. She married Charlie Soap, whom she met through the Bell Project.
-
Ms. Magazine's Woman of the Year in 1987. Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame, Woman of the Year, the Elizabeth Blackwell Award, John W. Gardner Leadership Award, Independent Sector.
-
Mankiller wrote an autobiography which shared her experiences as a pioneer in tribal government.
-
Mankiller was inducted into the Women's Hall of Fame in 1993.
-
Mankiller received the Presidential Medal of Honor from President Bill Clinton. This award is the nation's highest civilian award.
-
Mankiller died at age 64 in Adair County, due to metastatic pancreatic cancer. The same cancer that her father had.
