Madonna Swan
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Madonna Mary Swan-Abdalla (September 12, 1928 – 1993) was a Lakota woman. Born on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation[1] in South Dakota, Madonna Swan prevailed over extreme difficulties including the Native American tuberculosis epidemic of the 20th century[2] to lead a fulfilled life. She overcame the terrible conditions of socio-economic deprivation, restricted education, poor health care, and confinement to the Indian tuberculosis sanatorium[3] and the reservation, to attend college, become a Head Start teacher,[4] marry, raise a child, and be named Native American Woman of the Year. Madonna Swan became an inspiration to both Native and non-Native women.
In the autobiographical narrative Madonna Swan: A Lakota Woman's Story as told through the author Mark St. Pierre,[5] Madonna Swan relates the stories of her life.