Whina Cooper

Dame Whina Cooper (9 December 1895, Te Karaka, Hokianga, New Zealand – 26 March 1994, Panguru, New Zealand) fought for Maori land. She was elected first president of the new Maori Women's Welfare League.
Cooper was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for the services to the Māori people in the 1953 Coronation Honours. In 1974, she was promoted to Commander. In 1981, she was promoted again to Dame Commander.