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Editor’s note: August 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment, and racist policies kept too many women of color from the polls for decades beyond that. 

As we mark this anniversary and weigh that history, MPR News with Kerri Miller is asking: What does it mean to be a woman in America today? This series airs weekly; our conversations have looked at the 

following the nomination of Sen. Kamala Harris for vice president of the Democratic ticket; and 

whether women can truly achieve success in a world built by men, for men

After the ratification of the 19th Amendment, political activist and writer Zitkála-Šá — also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin — 

celebrated with white women who could now vote, saying “The Indian woman rejoices with you

But she also reminded them to remember Native women — and men — who could not vote, along with the challenges they faced involving citizenship, treaty rights, and loss of land and traditions. While Native Americans born in the U.S. would gain citizenship under the 1924 Indian Citizenship Act, 

some states excluded Native American voters until the early 1960s

Meanwhile, Native American women are making change both in their communities and in politics. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan is the 

first to be elected to statewide office in Minnesota in 2018

 and the second to be elected to statewide office in the U.S; the first was 

. In addition, U.S. Representatives Deb Haaland of New Mexico and Sharice Davids of Kansas are the

. Beyond those historic accomplishments, 

However, it’s also dangerous to be a Native woman. More than 

four in five Native American and Alaska Native women — and men — are victims of violence

. Murder rates for Native women are reported to be 

 than the national average in some counties.

MPR News host Kerri Miller talked with a historian, Brenda Child, and a lawyer, Mary Kathryn Nagle, on Wednesday about Native women, their successes, the challenges they face and what access to power looks like — especially when you consider land rights and loss and tribal sovereignty.

A listener also asked on Twitter for book suggestions, especially for young readers.

,” for readers ages 4 to 7. The tale centers around Windy Girl, who has a vivid imagination, an uncle who tells her stories, and a dog named Itchy Boy. While attending a powwow, those three things combine into a powerful dream for Windy Girl.

Nagle, who is also a playwright, said it can be hard to find  plays for children by Native writers.

“It's a little more difficult for us, because mainstream publishing companies have not been interested in publishing works by Native playwrights,” she said, adding that interested listeners should look to works by 

, which is dedicated to works by Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and First Nations playwrights.

American Indians in Children's Literature

, which was founded by the scholar and educator Debbie Reese. It assesses how Native and Indigenous people are represented in children’s literature.

Correction (Aug. 26, 2020): The article originally misidentified Nagle’s association with the Cherokee Nation. The article has since been updated. 

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During the month of August, MPR News with Kerri Miller is exploring what it means to be a woman in America. This week, we look at Native women’s access to power in the U.S.

MPR News with Kerri Miller - During the month of August, MPR News with Kerri Miller is exploring what it means to be a woman in America. This week, we look at Native women’s access to power in the U.S.

Native women and access to power

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