Every Day is a good day(Chapter 5)

Traditional indigenous women express a deep sense of responsibility for the cultural survival for their people. When referring to womanhood most women express more interest in being a good human being. Most women who work on gender issues do not refer to themselves as feminists but more as human rights work for family and the community. Many male leaders of the tribe often call on women for their opinion when they have a difficult decision to make.

Wilma Mankiller describes being elected as the first female to serve a four-year term as the deputy principal chief. She was elected in 1983 and then reelected again in 1991. She decided not to seek a fourth four-year term in 1995. She believed if people opposed her it was because they disagreed with her politics and not because she was female. Wilma’s elections were a step forward for women and provided a balance between men and women of the Cherokee nation.