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What did the leaders of Indigenous tribes look like in the 17th century? Historical sources show that they were oftentimes women. Through a certain process of election and consensus by their tribes, these women were tasked with the tricky responsibility of maintaining the safety and prosperity of their people. This was specifically common in the southeastern, Muskogean-speaking tribe of Cofitachequi, where present day South Carolina is. The Lady of Cofitachequi was one of the most notable leaders of her time, to the extent that Western culture mythologized her. She was both sharp and intentional, especially when it came to protecting her tribe from outsiders.
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Indigenous women oftentimes held positions of leadership within their tribes. They were known for their strengths as mediators, by both those within their chiefdoms and by conquistadors who hoped to meet them. This embodiment of power was common between Indigenous women, since Indigenous communities took pride in their egalitarian roles. It was, however, especially displayed by the Lady of Cofitachequi. The Lady had maintained the honorable economic standing of her tribe, and she strengthened their regional dominance.