About Ataloa/Mary Stone McClendan
Whether she
is known as Mary Stone McClendon or Ataloa (Little Song
in the Chickasaw language) this talented person is appreciated
for the efforts she made on the behalf of others.
She was born on the prairie of the Chickasaw Nation in
1895 near present day Duncan, OK. Her family was one of
prominence within the Chickasaw Nation.
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Most of her early schooling was in a one room schoolhouse in
the Kiamichi Mountains, later schooling included the Oklahoma
College for Woman, University of Redlands, Columbia University
and the International Institute of John D. Rockefeller in New
York City. Of the seventy-two nationalities represented at the
institute, she was the only American Indian attending.
Even though her greatest concern was for Native Americans, she
spent one summer as a social worker in an Italian settlement
in New York City. She also established several scholarships
and worked through several organizations for better international
understanding during the years of World War II.
Ataloa traveled extensively, using her abilities to inspire
Indian students to greater effort. She also worked as a fundraiser,
influencing people to donate financial aid for students and
to Bacone College.
During the years 1927-1935, she taught English and Philosophy
at Bacone College. At the time Bacone was the only Indian College
in the country.
She was also a Field Secretary for Bacone College and collected
quality art and items of material culture for her dream American
Indian Museum on the campus of Bacone College.
Her dream became a reality with the dedication of this art lodge
on December 2, 1932. After her death in 1967, the Art Lodge
was renamed in her honor: The Ataloa Art Lodge, and later renamed
the Ataloa Lodge Museum.
Mary Stone McClendon had known the satisfaction of encouraging
Native American artists to greater achievements in the future,
and establishing a showcase for the finest items of American
Indian culture.
