Annie Dodge Wauneka, a member of the Navajo Nation was known as a public health activist and a leader of the Navajo Nation. She was born on April 11, 1910 and passed away on November 10, 1997. She began attending boarding school in 1917 when she was 8 years of age. While attending boarding school, she developed an interest in Public Health. During her time there, there was an outbreak of tuberculosis and she assisted with the nurses in tending the sick. Mrs. Wauneka’s education ended when she completed the 11th grade, then returned to attain her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from University of Arizona. In 1952, she was the second female appointed to serve as Chairman of the Tribal Council’s Health and Welfare committee. She was reelected in 1954 and 1959. Thereafter, in 1956, the Surgeon general of U.S. invited her to become a member of the Advisory committee on Indian Health. In 1980, she received an honorary Doctorate degree from the University of Arizona for her efforts in Public Health …show more content…
Wauneka focused on many issues such as influenza, trachoma, tuberculosis, clean drinking water, and sanitary conditions on the reservation (Wepman, “Wauneka, Annie Dodge”). In addition, she assisted in approving poor housing. For example, she introduced wooden floors and modern plumbing for poor sanitary conditions to the elderly people. Her attributes with remaining grounded and centered, she Another attribute was determinedto enlist others to improve health care for the Navajo Nation, such as advocating for regular eye and ear exams. was her method of incorporating their needs. During this time, she dealt with challenges, for instance, the people believed a woman should be at home tending to her family, however. However, she was set on introducing modern medicine. to Navajo people. Moreover, she supported better health care by moving it into modern practices to better serve the Native