LaDonna Harris
LaDonna Harris is a prominent advocate for the rights of Indigenous people and social reform. Born to a Comanche mother and an Irish American father, she was raised in a culturally rich environment, speaking only Comanche until she entered school. As a mother of three and the wife of former U.S. Senator Fred Harris, she has made significant contributions to various social causes. In the 1970s, she became one of the early members of the National Women's Political Caucus and actively supported the American Indian Movement during their 1972 takeover of the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington, D.C. Harris has been a vocal opponent of U.S. policies that sought to terminate tribal sovereignty and lands, also helping to establish coalitions such as Oklahomans for Indian Opportunity. In 1970, she founded Americans for Indian Opportunity (AIO), where she continues to serve as executive director, focusing on promoting economic self-sufficiency and self-determination for Indigenous peoples. She has also held positions on various national boards, including the National Organization for Women, further cementing her role as a leader in advocating for underrepresented communities.
LaDonna Harris
Activist
- Born: February 15, 1931
- Birthplace: Temple, Oklahoma
Category: Activist
Tribal affiliation: Comanche
Significance: Harris has been an outspoken leader in the fight for native rights and an advocate of native self-determination
LaDonna Harris' mother was a Comanche, while her father was an Irish American. Reared by her grandparents, she spoke only Comanche until she started school. The mother of three, her husband is Fred Harris, former United States senator from Oklahoma.
Harris has been a leader in the fight for the rights of underrepresented people and for social reform, serving as one of the first members of the National Women’s Political Caucus in the 1970’s. During the 1972 takeover of the Bureau of Indian Affairs building by the American Indian Movement (AIM) in Washington, D.C., Harris supported AIM by staying a night with the demonstrators. She actively protested the U.S. government policy of terminating Indian tribes and tribal lands and has been instrumental in forming coalitions involving native people and organizations, such as Oklahomans for Indian Opportunity.
Harris founded Americans for Indian Opportunity (AIO) in 1970 in Washington, D.C., and serves as executive director of AIO, which promotes economic self-sufficiency for indigenous people and supports self-determination projects for native people at the local, national, and international levels. She has been appointed to various national boards, including that of the National Organization for Women.