Viola Cordova


Viola Cordova, a philosopher, artist, and author, member of the Jicarilla Apache tribe, was the first Native American woman to earn a PhD in philosophy.

Life

Viola Cordova grew up in Taos, New Mexico; her father was a member of the Jicarilla Apache tribe, and her mother was Hispanic. She earned her bachelor's degree from Idaho State University, and her M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy from the University of New Mexico.
She served with Anne Waters as co-editor of the American Philosophical Association's Newsletter on American Indians in Philosophy from its inception in 2001 until her death.
She died on November 2, 2002.

Works