Say a few prayers for an amazing woman tonight. Wilma Mankiller. Who has, unfortunately, started upon the path toward the Spirit world far too early.
From RezNet
Wilma Mankiller, considered one of the most influential Native Americans in America and the first female chief of a major tribe, has been diagnosed with stage IV metastatic pancreatic cancer, according to Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith.
In an e-mail to Cherokee tribal employees Tuesday, Smith forwarded a message from Mankiller and her husband, Charlie Soap.
"I decided to issue this statement because I want my family and friends to know that I am mentally and spiritually prepared for this journey; a journey that all human beings will take at one time or another," Mankiller said. "I learned a long time ago that I can't control the challenges the Creator sends my way but I can control the way I think about them and deal with them."
From the Cherokee One Feather
Among her many honors are:
Presidential Medal of Freedom
Montgomery Fellowship, Dartmouth College
The Chubb Fellowship, Timothy Dwight College, Yale University
San Francisco State University, Hall of Fame
San Francisco State Alumna of the Year (1988)
International Women of Distinction Award, Alpha Delta Kappa
Oklahoma Hall of Fame
Oklahoma Women’s Hall of Fame
National Women’s Hall of Fame
International Women’s Forum Hall of Fame
Minority Business Hall of Fame
Women of the Year, Oklahoma Federation of Indian Women
Woman of the Year, Ms. Magazine
Celebration of Heroes, Newsweek Cover Story
ABC Person of the Week, ABC Nightly News
National Racial Justice Award
Henry G. Bennett Distinguished Service Award, Oklahoma State University
John W. Gardner Leadership Award, Independent Sector
United States Public Health Service Leadership Award
Humanitarian Award, National Conference of Christians and Jews
The Dorothy Height Lifetime Achievement Award
The Elizabeth Blackwell Award
50 Most Influential People of the Century, in Oklahoma
50 Most Important People in the U.S., Who’s Who
Hero, Glamour Magazine, 2006