The U.S. Mint has begun rolling out U.S. quarters which feature writer, poet and activist Maya Angelou, the first Black woman to appear on the quarter.
The U.S. Mint has begun rolling out quarters which feature writer, poet and activist Maya Angelou, the first Black woman to appear on the coin.
“Each time we redesign our currency, we have the chance to say something about our country — what we value, and how we’ve progressed as a society," Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. "I’m very proud that these coins celebrate the contributions of some of America’s most remarkable women, including Maya Angelou.”
The new coin is part of the American Women Quarters program. Additional quarters will feature astronaut Sally Ride, the first American woman in space; Wilma Mankiller, the first woman to be principal chief of the Cherokee Nation; Anna May Wong, who was the first Chinese American Hollywood movie star; and Nina Otero-Warren, the first female superintendent of Santa Fe, N.M., public schools and a leader in the suffrage movement.
In 1993, Angelou read her poem, "On the Pulse of Morning," at former President Bill Clinton's first inauguration and made history as the first Black poet to write and perform a poem at a presidential inauguration. Former President Barack Obama awarded Angelou the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010.
The push for wider representation of Black Americans on U.S. currency is not limited to quarters. In 2016, the Obama administration first announced a proposal to replace former President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill with abolitionist Harriet Tubman by 2020.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘We Can't Give Up': Maya Millete's Family Hosts Vigil One Year After DisappearanceAs they have done countless times, Maya Millete’s family and friends gathered at Chula Vista Community Park to pray for answers in the mother’s disappearance. This time, though, the group observed a painful milestone. “It’s been one year and we haven’t found her yet,” said Richard Drouaillet, Maya Millete’s brother-in-law. The past 12 months have been a nightmare for Maya’s…
Read more »
Indonesia holds talks with industry on coal distribution problems, export banIndonesia is yet to reach a decision on lifting its coal export ban as authorities discussed overcoming logistic issues that have slowed efforts to distribute coal to domestic power plants, a mining group executive said on Sunday.
Read more »
Client review by the world's largest PR firm finds climate problemsEdelman has reviewed its client list through the lens of climate principles unveiled in November, but the PR giant isn't severing any ties despite finding problems — yet.
Read more »
Young Dolph's Peers and Friends to Honor Late Rapper on New 'Long Live Dolph' CompilationYoung Dolph's label Paper Route Empire has enlisted the late rapper's friends and peers for a new tribute compilation, 'Long Live Dolph.'
Read more »
Italy’s iconic Scala dei Turchi cliffs defaced by vandalsThe white marl cliffs in Sicily are famed for featuring in the Inspector Montalbano books
Read more »