Mankiller worked well with the media

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April 14, 2010

Anonymous staff The Tahlequah Daily Press Wed Apr 14, 2010, 12:58 PM CDT

TAHLEQUAH — Across the country, barrels of ink have been devoted to the memory of former Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Wilma Mankiller. Because of her international stature and far-reaching influence, it would be hard for the humble staff of a small newspaper to find anything new under the sun to say about this special woman.

But we are uniquely positioned to attest to one aspect of her character that others are not: her relationship with media operating on the home turf of the tribe she so ably led.

Although it’s been several years since Wilma was in office, there are still a couple of Press newsroom employees who interviewed her and worked closely with other members of her staff. We, and others who have since moved on, would agree working with her and her staff was always a congenial, productive experience.

In an informal interview setting, Wilma would quickly put the reporter at ease, correcting the typical address of “Chief” and saying it was OK to call her “Wilma.” Her closest staff members referred to her that way, and most Press newsroom employees thought of her that way, too. There was never any question about which “Wilma” anyone meant.

Like any adept leader, Wilma surrounded herself with capable public relations personnel from day one. Lynn Howard, who had led the team under Ross Swimmer, made the transition to Wilma’s administration. Lynn had a firm grasp of the area’s identity (and still does) and was deeply involved in the community. She and her staff helped cement the relationship between the tribe and its members, and the rest of the local public.

When it came to dealing with media of any stripe, Wilma was shrewd, observant and well-organized. She understood the elements of timing, location and presentation, and knew how, when and where to call a press conference for the most effective dissemination of information. Her even-handed approach, and her willingness to deal with even the smallest media outlet, was frequently noted.

No political leader can escape the occasional criticism, and Wilma was no exception. But she was somehow able to deflect it without being defensive, and no one at this newspaper ever saw her lose her temper. She took criticism in stride, and didn’t seem to hold a grudge against a media entity that parceled it out. She understood that was part of the job.

During one-on-one interviews, Wilma was cordial and often amusing, but always professional, with answers at the ready. Her polish seemed to belie her hardscrabble upbringing, but she was frank about her roots, and used her experience to the tribe’s advantage. She wasn’t afraid to talk about that, and later, she was open about her illness.

She liked to talk with average people, mingling up until the very end with local folks. Earlier this year, she was spotted chatting with a couple of people in front of Reasor’s, leaning against her shopping cart. She was by herself, not with the entourage she could have had, if she had so chosen.

She loved her daughters, and she talked about them, too. During an interview, she could usually find a way to mention Gina and Felicia, but if the reporter happened to ask first, so much the better.

And Wilma’s daughters, and her grandkids, loved her, too. That was never more evident than in fall 2007, when Wilma was one of several hundred seated in an audience at the University of Oklahoma, where her grandson, K.C. Quinton, was being inaugurated into the President’s Leadership Class, along with a few dozen other freshmen. K.C., already adept at handling the spotlight despite his young age, introduced to the crowd his “beautiful mother, and equally beautiful grandmother.” Even for those who had quietly observed Wilma over the years, it was a standout moment.

Godspeed, Wilma.

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