This Day in History: 2017-11-19
November 18, 1945 – “Wilma Mankiller, First Female Chief of the Cherokee Nation, is Born”
Wilma Mankiller, who served as the Chief of the Cherokee Nation for ten years from 1985 to 1995, was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. In 1985, Mankiller became the first female Chief of the Cherokee Nation. Before serving in this capacity, she served as the deputy chief of the Cherokee Nation for two years, getting elected to the post in 1983. Mankiller became the Chief when Ross Swimmer died in 1985, but was elected to the post in 1987 and then reelected in 1991. Under the U.S. federal policy of Native American self-determination, Mankiller improved federal-tribal negotiations.
June 1994 - "Council on American-Islamic Relations is Founded" Three officers of the Islamic Association of Palestine established the Council on American-Islamic Relations. The organization focuses on defending the civil rights of Muslims, challenging stereotypes of Islam and Muslims and training Muslims in media relations. The organization was one of the leaders in protecting the rights of Islamic Americans after 9/11, when Muslims in the U.S.experienced an increased level of discrimination and violence.