The U.S. Department of the Treasury has minted new 25-cent coins, featuring the image of a Black woman, marking the first time in American history that a person of color has been depicted on domestic currency. The figure chosen for the coin is the late poet Maya Angelou, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 86 and was the first Black woman to write and recite a poem at a presidential inauguration in the United States. Janet Yellen, the first woman to serve as Treasury Secretary in the country, praised this move, stating, "Every time we redesign our currency, we have an opportunity to say something about our nation, what we value, and how we have evolved as a society."
Maya Angelou is an iconic figure in American literature and civil rights, rising to fame after publishing her memoir "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" in 1969, which recounts her childhood in the American South. Throughout her life, she received dozens of honorary degrees and wrote around 30 bestselling literary works. In 2010, Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
The coin features Angelou with her hands open, a bird behind her, and a bright sun, with the design inspired by her poetry and the symbolism of her lifestyle, according to the U.S. Treasury. The opposite side of the quarter depicts the head of George Washington, the country's first president.
The U.S. Mint plans to issue 20 similar coins over the next four years, showcasing women who played significant roles in the nation's history. Among those scheduled to be honored are Sally Ride, America's first female astronaut; Wilma Mankiller, the first chief of the Cherokee Nation and a Native American rights activist; and Anna May Wong, Hollywood's first Chinese American star. The Mint is also considering plans to replace the image of President Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill with an image of Harriet Tubman, an abolitionist who rescued individuals from slavery through secret routes known as the Underground Railroad.
It is rare for the United States to honor women who played historical roles on its currency. Notable depictions include the indigenous explorer Sacagawea on the golden dollar, women's rights activist Susan Anthony on a silver dollar, and the blind activist Helen Keller on the Alabama state quarter.
