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"A True Daughter of America"
Published: 4/7/2010 1:27 PM
Last Modified: 4/7/2010 1:27 PM

In 2007, Wilma Mankiller and Michael Wallis, who collaborated on the book "Mankiller: A Chief and her People," were honored by the Tulsa Press Club for their lives' work, and I got the chance to talk with both on that occasion.

Wallis said something during that interview that came to mind when I learned of Wilma Mankiller's death yesterday. He spoke about how, more than a decade after Mankiller's biography was published, people still brought copies to him to sign.

"I always inscribe it, 'I hope you enjoy this story of a true daughter of America,'" Wallis said. "Because that is what Wilma Mankiller is. She has lived her own Trail of Tears, and has looked death in the eye on many occasions. But she is a total survivor."

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Oklahoma Catfish (3 years ago)

People need to learn from her example. She dedicated her life to helping her people and her community, to make it a better place. This is the quality that is lacking today in America. Too many people are just out for themselves, trying to make a buck.

We need more people like her in America.

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ARTS

James D. Watts Jr. has lived in Oklahoma for most his life, even though he still has people saying to him, "Don't sound like you're from around these parts." A University of Oklahoma Phi Beta Kappa graduate, Watts has received the Governor Arts Award, Harwelden Award and the National Conference of Christians and Jews Beth Macklin Award for his writing. Before coming to the Tulsa World, Watts worked for the Tulsa Tribune.

Contact him at (918) 581-8478.

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Past Articles By James D. Watts Jr

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2/14/2013		Symphony to host piano soloist
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2/12/2013		Review: Signature Symphony reprises '100 Years of Oklahoma Music'
2/11/2013		Tulsa Symphony's concert salutes diverse American music
2/10/2013		Cherokee artist weaves messages into baskets
2/10/2013		Tesla Quartet set for Tulsa residency next week with variety of activities
2/10/2013		Jim Murphy wins 2013 Anne Zarrow Award
2/10/2013		LBJ chronicler Robert Caro to speak at TU on Tuesday
2/9/2013		Theater review: Playhouse makes "Barefoot in the Park" believable

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