Native American activist (1888–1976)
Josephine Gates Kelly
Born Josephine Gates
(1888-01-24 ) January 24, 1888Died October 23, 1976(1976-10-23) (aged 88) Known for First female tribal chair in the United States Spouse
Children 7 Mother Nellie Two Bears Gates
Josephine Gates Kelly (January 24, 1888 – October 23, 1976) was a Native American activist . In 1946, she became the first female chair of a tribal council in United States history when she was elected Tribal Chair of the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation .
Biography
Josephine Gates Kelly was born on January 24, 1888, in Cannon Ball, North Dakota . Her parents were Nellie Two Bears Gates and Frank Gates.[ 1]
In 1902, Kelly left Standing Rock to enroll at the Carlisle Indian School in Pennsylvania . She graduated in 1909, becoming the first female graduate of Carlisle from her reservation.[ 1] Following her graduation, she worked for the governor of North Dakota as a stenographer .[ 2]
Kelly began her involvement in politics in the 1930s, specifically the politics of the Native Americans and the Nonpartisan League . During this time, she hitchhiked to Washington, D.C. so that she could protest portions of the Indian Reorganization Act .[ 1]
In 1940, Kelly was elected to serve as a member of the Standing Rock Tribal Council.[ 3]
In 1944, she attended the National Republican Convention in Chicago, Illinois , as a delegate.[ 1]
In November 1946, she was elected Tribal Chair. This made her the first female Tribal Chair in the history of the United States.[ 3] [ 4] [ 5] During her tenure she advocated for the improvement of conditions on the Standing Rock reservation. She was re-elected every year until 1951.[ 1]
In the early 1950s, Kelly assisted in the establishment of a memorial in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania , in honor of Native Americans who were killed serving in the United States Armed Forces .[ 3]
Josephine Gates Kelly died on October 23, 1976. She was 88 years old.[ 1]
Personal life
She married Covin Kelly in 1920; the two had seven children.[ 2] Her youngest son was named Louis; he was killed while serving in the military and buried at Arlington National Cemetery . A daughter of hers, Susan Kelly Power , was one of the co-founders of the American Indian Center in Chicago, Illinois .[ 1]
References
^ a b c d e f g Eriksmoen, Curt (March 28, 2010). "Josephine Gates Kelly fought for the rights of her people" . Bismarck Tribune . Retrieved November 17, 2022 .
^ a b Tuchscherer, Rebekah (August 13, 2020). "Scientist Pearl Young, teachers and politicians among inspiring North Dakota women" . Argus Leader . Retrieved November 17, 2022 .
^ a b c "Profile: Josephine Gates Kelly | 4th Grade North Dakota Studies" . North Dakota Studies Grade 4 Curriculum . Retrieved November 17, 2022 .
^ Meeting Ground . Center for the History of the American Indian, The Newberry Library. 1973. p. 14.
^ Agel, Jerome (1990). 100 Amazing Americans . Trumpet Club. ISBN 978-0-440-84263-7 .