Artwork copyright Jessica Spring and Chandler O'Leary. Photo courtesy of the artist, 2024.

Artwork copyright Jessica Spring and Chandler O'Leary. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission, by Everything Time Studio, 2024.

And She Rose: Chief Wilma Mankiller, 2024

Jessica Spring and Chandler O'Leary
Jessica Spring (American, born 1964); Chandler O'Leary (American, born 1981, died 2023)

Location: Thomas Jefferson High School, Auburn

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

And She Rose: Chief Wilma Mankiller features a quote from Wilma Mankiller (1945-2010), the first woman elected to serve as Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation in Oklahoma. The quote is "The secret of our success is that we never, never give up." Wilma Mankiller spent her life fighting for the rights of American Indians. The surname "Mankiller," Asgaya-dihi in the Cherokee language, refers to a traditional Cherokee military rank, like a captain or major.

This print is part of Dead Feminists, a letterpress poster series featuring quotes by feminists throughout history, tied to current political and social issues. The series was made by the Tacoma-based artist team of Jessica Spring and Chandler O’Leary.

This artwork is part of a curated collection by Asia Tail in April 2024 for three Federal Way Public Schools in South King County. Asia chose graphic works that are as bold and diverse as the students, by artists with ties to South Puget Sound. Images of language, people, and the natural world create a poem for this place where students live and learn. She notes, "School is a place where we can connect with new families. And families are always strongest when working together."

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Federal Way Public Schools.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

The Dead Feminists series was a collaboration between artists Chandler O’Leary and Jessica Spring. The series features quotes by historical feminists, tied in with current political and social issues. Each limited-edition broadside was letterpress printed from hand-drawn lettering and illustrations. Jessica and Chandler released 32 broadsides from 2008 to 2023, when Chandler died. Their first book, "Dead Feminists: Historic Heroines in Living Color, was published by Sasquatch Books" in 2016 and won a Pacific Northwest Book Award.