Debra Haaland, born in Arizona, is a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe. Ms. Haaland was raised in a military family with a mother in the U.S. Navy and a father in the U.S. Marine Corps, she moved frequently before settling in New Mexico, where she graduated high school.
She attended the University of New Mexico, where she studied under future U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. After graduation, Debra became a single mother and launched her own salsa company to support her family. She later earned her law degree in 2006.
In 2018, Haaland made history by being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. At her swearing-in ceremony, she wore traditional Laguna Pueblo attire, symbolizing her heritage.
In 2020, she was appointed by President Biden as Secretary of the Interior, becoming the first Native American cabinet secretary in U.S. history. She again wore her tribe’s traditional clothing for her swearing-in, continuing to represent her community on a national stage.
Freda Josephine McDonald Josephine Baker was a world-renowned performer, WWII spy, and activist, known for her extraordinary impact both on stage and in the fight for racial equality. One of the most successful African American performers in French history, Baker’s career demonstrated the powerful ways entertainers can use their platforms to create social change.
Born Freda Josephine McDonald on June 3, 1906, in St. Louis, Missouri, Baker grew up in a family of entertainers who performed in the segregated Midwest, often bringing her on stage. Despite their efforts, her parents' careers never gained traction, and Baker often had to take on odd jobs to survive. At times, she would dance in the streets, collecting money from passersby. Her street performances eventually caught the attention of an African American theater troupe. At just 15 years old, Baker joined the group, and in doing so, adopted her husband's last name, becoming Josephine Baker.
Baker quickly flourished as a dancer in various vaudeville shows, which were popular in the early 20th century. She later moved to New York City, where she became part of the Harlem Renaissance, a cultural movement celebrating Black life and art. A few years later, her career took her to Paris, where she became an international sensation.
Known for her distinctive dance style and innovative costumes, Baker’s performances, which often incorporated African themes, captivated audiences. One of her most famous acts involved dancing in a banana skirt during her show Danse Sauvage. In addition to her dancing, she was also a talented singer and appeared in several successful films in Europe.
When World War II broke out and the German army invaded France, Baker took up the fight against the Nazi regime. Using her position as a performer, she gathered intelligence from German officials and passed it on to French military authorities. She cleverly concealed secret messages on music sheets written in invisible ink, contributing to the war effort. After the war, Baker returned to the United States, where she was confronted with the racism and segregation that she had not experienced in France.
Baker's commitment to fighting discrimination led her to refuse to perform for segregated audiences, forcing many venues to integrate for her shows. Her advocacy for racial justice was recognized by the NAACP, and in 1963, she was one of the few women invited to speak at the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In her speech, she reflected on her experiences as a Black woman, both in the U.S. and abroad:
"You know, friends, that I do not lie to you when I tell you I have walked into the palaces of kings and queens and into the houses of presidents. And much more. But I could not walk into a hotel in America and get a cup of coffee, and that made me mad."
Baker's activism extended into the 1970s, and her personal life mirrored her political values. She adopted 13 children from different countries, calling them her "rainbow tribe" and using her family to promote racial and cultural harmony.
She continued to perform well into her later years, with her final show in 1975 selling out and earning her a standing ovation. Josephine Baker passed away on April 12, 1975, leaving behind a legacy as both an entertainer and a fearless advocate for racial equality.
Such a wise, creative activist, I wonder how she was truly like on a personal level.
In 2018, Isabella Aiukli Cornell, a member of the Choctaw tribe, used fashion as a powerful tool for activism.
With the assistance of designer Della BigHair-Stump from the Crow tribe, she created a prom dress to raise awareness about the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.
The gown was red, a color believed by many tribes to be visible to spirits, guiding restless souls back to peace. This color has since become a symbol of the MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) movement, which was further amplified by artist Jaime Black's REDress Project.
Today, Isabella's dress is housed in the National Museum of American History. Through her efforts and the work of others, the issue continues to gain attention, inspiring many to take action. Such an inspiration to see a young powerful, wise, woman.
Buffalo Calf Road Woman, born around 1844, was a young Cheyenne warrior celebrated for her courage and leadership during the Battle of the Rosebud and the Battle of the Little Bighorn. She is truly an inspiration for women who desire the ability to believe in ourselves and take smart chances in life.
The Battle of the Rosebud took place in 1876 in Montana, where U.S. Army forces clashed with an alliance of Native American tribes, including the Crow, Shoshoni, Lakota Sioux, and Cheyenne, led by Crazy Horse.
During the battle, when the Cheyenne forces began to falter, Buffalo Calf Road Woman rode in to rescue her brother, reigniting their morale and helping turn the tide. While the U.S. Army referred to it as the Battle of the Rosebud, the Cheyenne called it The Fight Where the Girl Saved Her Brother.
Buffalo Calf Road Woman also fought in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, famously known as Custer's Last Stand, where the U.S. Army faced a crushing defeat at the hands of the Native American forces. In 2005, after a 150-year vow of silence, the Cheyenne people revealed that Buffalo Calf Road Woman was the one who delivered the fatal blow to General Custer, a revelation that added a legendary chapter to her already heroic legacy.
What an amazing women with amazing courage and love for herself and her people.
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