Iconic poet, author and civil rights activist Maya Angelou became the first woman to appear on the U.S. quarter after the new coins went into circulation Monday.
The Maya Angelou quarter is the first in the American Women Quarters Program. Other notable women in American history will also appear on the quarters this year through 2025.
Wilma Mankiller, the Cherokee Nation’s first female principal chief, Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American Hollywood actress, Adelina Otero-Warren, a leader in New Mexico’s suffrage movement and Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, will also feature on the quarter.
“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 separate statement. “I’m very proud that these coins celebrate the contributions of some of America’s most remarkable women, including Maya Angelou.”
George Washington’s will still appear on the “heads” side, while the “tails” side honors Angelou.
Angelou is one of the most revered authors of our time. She received a Presidential Medal of Freedom from former President Barack Obama and won the Literarian Award. Angelou died in 2014 at the age of 86.
“It is my honor to present our Nation’s first circulating coins dedicated to celebrating American women and their contributions to American history,” Mint Deputy Director Ventris C. Gibson said in a news release. “Each 2022 quarter is designed to reflect the breadth and depth of accomplishments being celebrated throughout this historic coin program. Maya Angelou, featured on the reverse of this first coin in the series, used words to inspire and uplift.”
