Sweethearts Of The West: GERTRUDE SIMMONS BONNIN, INFLUENTIAL LAKOTA ACTIVI...

Sweethearts Of The West: GERTRUDE SIMMONS BONNIN, INFLUENTIAL LAKOTA ACTIVI...: Those of you who read the previous post by Doris McCraw (writing as Angela Rains) will understand my next sentence. I started out researching the former Western Cherokee Chief Wilma Mankiller. I stumbled onto another amazing woman and will report on her instead. *Zitkála-Šá* (1876–1938), also known as *Gertrude Simmons Bonnin*, her missionary-given and later married name, was a Yankton Dakota Sioux writer, editor, translator, musician, educator, and political activist. Her Lakota name means Red Bird or Cardinal. One of the most outspoken voices raised on behalf of Native Americans.