Who Was Wilma Mankiller?
Who HQ – Who Was? Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
Part of the best-selling Who HQ biography series, Who Was Wilma Mankiller? introduces middle-grade readers to the life of the first woman elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. From her childhood on a small Oklahoma farm, through the family’s relocation to San Francisco, to her return home and historic rise in tribal government, the book follows Mankiller’s perseverance in the face of poverty, discrimination, and serious injury. Readers learn how her activism during the Occupation of Alcatraz, her commitment to community-led projects, and her leadership in the 1980s and ’90s reshaped health care, housing, and self-determination for Cherokee citizens and inspired Native women everywhere.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
112 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Wilma Pearl Mankiller
Charlie Soap
Clara Irene Sitton Mankiller
Charley Mankiller
Discussion points
What qualities made Wilma an effective leader?
How did relocation affect her identity?
Why was the Bell Waterline Project important?
What modern issues align with Wilma’s activism?
Tip: Role play these questions
Connect Mankiller’s community projects to local volunteer opportunities.
Create a family timeline to compare with the book’s timeline.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Wilma’s journey from poverty to leadership shows steady effort.
Real-World Application: Set long-term goals and tackle them step by step.
Example Lesson: Community Service
Explanation: The Bell project solved a basic need through cooperation.
Real-World Application: Organize a neighborhood cleanup or charity drive.
Example Lesson: Cultural Pride
Explanation: Wilma relearned Cherokee language to reconnect with heritage.
Real-World Application: Explore family traditions and share them at school.
Example Lesson: Gender Equality
Explanation: She challenged stereotypes by becoming Principal Chief.
Real-World Application: Encourage both boys and girls to pursue leadership roles.