Mildred Cleghorn facts for kids

Mildred Cleghorn (December 11, 1910 – April 15, 1997) was an important leader of the Fort Sill Apache Tribe. She was the first woman to be the chairperson of her tribe.

Mildred Imoch Cleghorn had two Apache names: Eh-Ohn and Lay-a-Bet. She was one of the last Chiricahua Apaches born when her people were still held by the U.S. government. This meant they were treated like prisoners of war for many years.

Mildred was known as a cultural leader. She was a teacher and also made traditional dolls. She worked as a home economics teacher, helping people learn skills for their homes.

Mildred Cleghorn's Tribal Leadership

Mildred Cleghorn served as the chairperson of the Fort Sill Apache Tribe from 1976 to 1995. As chairperson, she worked hard to keep the history and traditions of the Chiricahua Apache culture alive. She wanted to make sure her people's stories and ways of life were remembered and passed down.

Honoring Apache Culture

Mildred Cleghorn was also famous for her traditional dolls. These dolls were so special that they were shown at the 1967 Smithsonian Folklife Festival. This festival celebrates different cultures and traditions.

Fighting for Justice

Mildred Cleghorn was part of a very important legal case. In 1996, she joined other Native Americans in a lawsuit against the U.S. government. This lawsuit said that the government had not properly managed money that belonged to Native American individuals. This money was held in special accounts, like a trust.

Mildred Cleghorn passed away before the lawsuit was finished. However, the case, known as Cobell v. Salazar, was settled in 2009. The government agreed to pay $3.4 billion to the Native Americans. This happened just a week after what would have been Mildred Cleghorn's 99th birthday. Her efforts helped bring justice to many people.