Zitkála-Šá

born February 22, 1876, Yankton Sioux Agency, South Dakota, U.S.—died January 26, 1938

Zitkála-Šá was a member of the Dakota Nation. She was a musician, writer and activist who fought to attain equality for Native American people.

Largely due to her advocacy, Congress passed the Indian Citizenship Act (1924) that endowed full citizenship rights to all native born people. This allowed for voting rights of Native Americans and more control and equality of the reservation system. She also fought for better educational opportunities, improved health care, and cultural recognition and preservation for Native Americans.