Literature genius, activist, and poet Maya Angelou becomes the first Black woman to appear on the US coin. Angelou is the author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. Angelou is the author of 36 books and has received over 20 honorary degrees. She read her poem On the Pulse of the Morning at Bill Clinton’s inauguration in 1992. And was conferred the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Barack Obama in 2010. She will be the first person commemorated through the American Women Quarters Program
According to a press release from the agency, the US Mint “has begun shipping the first coins” with Angelou’s likeness on the American quarter, a 25-cent piece. “It is my honor to present our nation’s first circulating coins dedicated to celebrating American women and their contributions to American history,” said Mint Deputy Director Ventris Gibson. “Each 2022 quarter has a design reflecting the breadth and depth of accomplishments. Celebrating throughout this historic coin program. Maya Angelou, featured on the reverse of this first coin in the series, used words to inspire and uplift.”
For the past 90 years, the quarter has featured George Washington
The program certainly directs the US Mint to issue quarters featuring five different female American forerunners each year between 2022 and 2025. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen acknowledged that she is “proud that these coins honor some of America’s most remarkable women.” Moreover, for the past 90 years, the quarter has featured George Washington, the first president of the United States, on one side and an eagle on the other.
However, in 1999, the United States inaugurated a series of quarters respecting the 50 states. Each with a design illustrating a state on the reverse. There was an agreement to broaden the program to encompass US territories and national parks. However, the Angelou quarter is the first in the US Mint’s American Women Quarters series. It will also include Dr. Sally Ride, the first female astronaut. And Wilma Mankiller, the Cherokee Nation’s first female principal chief, later this year. Commemorating the curtain-raiser of a bill by Democrat congresswoman Barbara Lee, there were invitates to people to submit names of iconic women for the program. Ayanna Pressley, a member of Congress, was certainly among those who praised the release of the Angelou quarters.
