Bronson, Ruth Muskrat, 1897-1982

Ruth Muskrat Bronson (1897-1982) was a Cherokee poet, educator and Indian rights activist. Born on October 3, 1897 in White Water, Delaware Nation, Indian Territory, Bronson became the first Guidance and Placement Officer of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She served as executive secretary for the National Congress of American Indians, which was founded in 1944, and created their legislative news service.

After a decade of work in Washington, D.C., Bronson moved to Arizona. There she served as a health education specialist for the Indian Health Service. Upon her retirement from the government, she received the Oveta Culp Hobby Service Award from the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. She continued working for Native American rights, promoting their development and leadership in the private sector until her death on June 12, 1982 in Tucson, Arizona.