As a matrilineal people, Senecas have always held reverence for the role of women in our society. To celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth, we’re going to bring you the stories of Seneca women who have made an impact in our community and the region, and more special content all month long.
Follow hashtag #SNCelebratesWHM and never miss a post from Seneca Media’s Facebook page!
We will be honoring Seneca Women throughout the month of March to celebrate WHM.
Rovena Abrams
Make sure to follow the Seneca Media & Communications Center Facebook page for this month long series. The first woman we are honoring and recognizing this month is: Rovena Watt Abrams, Seneca, Turtle Clan, who grew up in Coldspring on the Allegany Territory and is a speaker of the Seneca language.
Rovena worked at the Seneca Nation during two major periods of Seneca history: the Kinzua Dam era and the expiration of Salamanca’s 99-year leases. Rovena’s family along with 700 other Senecas residing in the take area were forced to relocate to the communities of Jimersontown and Steamburg as a result of the construction of the Kinzua Dam. It was during this time that Rovena became interested in Seneca women gaining the right to vote. She helped to encourage other Seneca women to join this effort and undertook the campaign for Seneca women to have the right to hold office.
Beginning in 1984, Rovena served two terms as the Northeast Area Vice President of the National Congress of American Indians. Rovena was appointed by Council to the Salamanca Lease Negotiation Committee to help reach a settlement of the 99-year leases with the City of Salamanca that were set to expire in February 1991. In 1994, Rovena became Editor of the Seneca Nation Newsletter. From 2002-2008, Rovena served as a Tribal Councilor, and later served as Peacemaker Court Judge from 2008-2010. Throughout her career, she was appointed to several boards and committees.
Her artwork and corn husk dolls were featured in the “Iroquois and Native American Art of Today,” traveling exhibit in 1973 as well as displayed at the Smithsonian Museum and the Seneca-Iroquois National Museum. She was the first recipient of the “Seneca Eagle Award for Public Service” in 2007. Rovena received the Mother’s Medal of Honor for the distinguished military service of her sons Bruce, Brian and Stephen. On June 19, 2013, Rovena received the Lifetime Achievement award presented by Seneca Nation Treasurer Rodney Pierce for “her life’s endeavors and for demonstrating a significant and lasting contribution to the community.” #SNCelebratesWHM
Rhonda George, 1st WOMAN Marshal, hired on
Rhonda George was the 1st WOMAN Marshal hired on as regular staff after completing the police academy. She graduated in 1984 and started working for the Nation shortly after.
Ralphy Doxtator was her 1st boss (serving in her Marshal role) who was the Cattaraugus Chief Marshal at that time.
She went to school with Kevin Seneca and Denny Lytel – they were all in the Academy together at the same time.
After graduating from the academy, her and Kevin Seneca were hired as Marshal’s in Cattaraugus and Dennis Lytel was hired in Allegany.
