This collectable keepsake ornament is the latest offering from the American Women Quarters™ Program!
From 2022-2025, this historic program celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by prominent women of the United States. All of the honorees—representing ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse backgrounds—distinguished themselves in a wide variety of fields and endeavors, including suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, the arts, and many others.
Wilma Mankiller was the first woman elected chief of the Cherokee Nation. Her administration revitalized the Cherokee Nation through extensive community development, including improvements to health care and education. Mankiller’s leadership on social and financial issues made her tribe a national role model.
This keepsake ornament is exquisitely designed and hand-crafted in solid brass with a rhodium finish. The intricate design elements represent Mankiller’s relentless advocacy for improved housing, education, and healthcare. The strands of clay beads are representative of the necklace that appear with her in many photographs. The stars and diamonds are taken from the Cherokee Nation flag—the seven stars representing the seven clans and the black star representing those perishing on the Trail of Tears.
Framed by the ornament is a 2022 quarter with the reverse (tails) design honoring Wilma Mankiller. She is depicted with a resolute gaze to the future, the wind at her back, wrapped in a traditional shawl. To her left is the seven-pointed star of the Cherokee Nation. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” “QUARTER DOLLAR,” “WILMA MANKILLER,” “PRINCIPAL CHIEF,” and the name of the Cherokee Nation written in the Cherokee syllabary. The obverse (heads side) of the quarter is not visible. A matching ribbon is attached to the top of the ornament for easy display.
This one-of-a-kind ornament is beautifully protected by matching packaging with WILMA MANKILLER, 2022, and the American Women Quarters logo embossed on the top of the box. It includes a certificate of authenticity, along with an explanation of the ornament’s design elements, and a brief biography of the honoree.
Honor the courageous steps and accomplishments of women who have created positive change in our Nation’s history. We invite you to continue your collection of the American Women Quarters with these exclusive and limited keepsakes!
