Virginia Shanta Klinekole, born Virginia Shanta (June 13, 1924 – March 13, 2011) was a Mescalero Apache politician from New Mexico

New Mexico

New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...

. She was elected as the first woman president of the Mescalero Apache Tribe, and served on the Tribal Council for nearly 30 years.

Early life and education

She was born Virginia Shanta and raised in Three Rivers, New Mexico

Three Rivers, New Mexico

Three Rivers is an unincorporated community in Otero County, United States. Its elevation is 4,570 feet .-Notable people:*Virginia Klinekole, first female president of the Mescalero Apache, 1959*Sara Misquez, president of the Mescalero Apache...

, where she lived all of her life. She attended local and boarding schools. Shanta was reared in the Roman Catholic faith.

Career

Klinkole worked as the Tularosa Public School Educational Liaison for the Mescalero Tribe, and strongly supported education for the children of the reservation.

In 1959 she was elected as the first woman president of the Mescalero Apache.

Following her term, she was repeatedly elected as a member of the Mescalero Apache Tribal Council. She served as a member until 1986, taking part in every aspect of managing the reservation.

Marriage and family

She married Bruce W. Klinekole. They had four children: Bruce W. Klinekole II, Gregg A. Klinekole, Gina R. Klinekole, and Ruth "Wonzie" Klinekole Tiger.