Cooper, Whina Josephine (1895-1994)

New Zealand campaigner for Maori rights, and particularly for claims to traditionally-held land. Despite traditional prejudice about the role women should play, by the strength of her intellect and personality she became the leading voice of the Maori people from the 1930s and the best-known advocate of racial harmony in her country. She was founding president of the Maori Women's Welfare League in 1951, and in 1975 led a historic march to publicize Maori land claims.

Whina's potential was recognized at an early age by her father, who favoured her over her brothers, and later by the Maori minister for native affairs Sir James Carroll, who financed her education. During her long life she founded many Maori pressure groups and, in addition to her campaigning, worked as a gum-digger, shopkeeper, teacher, farmer, and herbalist, was married twice and produced six children. Her success was such that she received successive honours, culminating in the DBE in 1981. Paradoxically, this international recognition, coupled with her refusal to accept a more passive female role, alienated her from some of her own people.