Who Was Wilma Mankiller?

Who Was . . . ? Series

by Andrea Page, Who HQ, Stephen Marchesi (Illustrator)

Learn about the life and legacy of the first woman to serve as principal chief of the Cherokee Nation! Wilma Mankiller's struggle for political change throughout her life will be sure to inspire readers in this addition to the #1 New York Times bestselling series.

Wilma Mankiller grew up immersed in the Cherokee community and culture of Oklahoma. When her family moved to San Francisco as part of the Indian Relocation Program, she had to quickly adjust to city life. Along the way, Wilma never lost her dedication to her people and their centuries-old traditions. She grew up to become a major political activist. From aiding the Occupation of Alcatraz in 1969 to making history as the first woman principal chief of the Cherokee Nation in 1985, Wilma never wavered in her support for her community. She spent her life fighting for the rights of Native Americans and inspires political activism to this day.

Genres: Biography

112 pages, Paperback

Published September 2, 2025

Reviews

[Susan's Sweat Smells Like Literature · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well done biography in this series. I am inspired to check out Wilma Mankiller's memoir for more details about her life.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting subject matter. Well written for children.