She served as the first elected female Cherokee Nation tribal councilor, representing the at-large district.
Agnes Louise Cowen was born on May 1, 1927, in Welling, Oklahoma, to John Stacy and Jenny Spade.
She attended schools in Welling and later studied at Northeastern State University where she earned a master’s degree in education.
[4] In 1983, Cowen lost by absentee votes in a run-off election for the deputy chief of Cherokee Nation post against Wilma Mankiller.
[5][6] Cowen demanded a recount and filed a suit with the Cherokee Judicial Appeals Tribunal and U. S. District Court alleging voting irregularities.