The American Women Quarters™ Program at the US mint
The American Women Quarters™ Program is a commemorative coin series launched by the United States Mint to honor the accomplishments and contributions of prominent American women. This program follows the success of the United States Mint's previous quarter programs, such as the 50 State Quarters Program and the America the Beautiful Quarters Program.
The American Women Quarters Program features designs on the reverse (tails side) of quarters that celebrate the achievements and legacies of noteworthy women from various fields, including but not limited to suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, science, space, and the arts. The program aims to highlight the diverse and significant roles that women have played throughout American history.
The quarters in this series will be issued in the order in which the honored women served or made significant contributions to the nation. The program is set to run from 2022 to 2025, with the final designs and release schedule determined by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission, the Smithsonian Institution's American Women's History Initiative, and the National Women's History Museum.
Overall, the American Women Quarters Program serves as a meaningful tribute to the countless women who have shaped American society and history, providing a platform to recognize their invaluable contributions for generations to come.
In 2022, the American Women Quarters Program featured the following notable American women on the quarters:
1. Maya Angelou: Renowned poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist, best known for her autobiographical work "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."
2. Wilma Mankiller: The first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, who focused on improving healthcare, education, and infrastructure during her tenure.
3. Sally Ride: The first American woman in space, who made history aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983, and later became an advocate for STEM education.
4. Nina Otero-Warren: A leader in New Mexico's suffrage movement, educator, and advocate for Hispanic and Native American rights, known for her work in education and public health.
5. Anna May Wong: A pioneering Chinese American actress who achieved international fame in the early 20th century, breaking barriers for Asian American performers in Hollywood.
In 2023, the American Women Quarters Program featured the following notable American women on the quarters:
1. Bessie Coleman – pilot, advocate, and pioneer who flew to great heights as the First African American and first Native American woman pilot, and first African American to earn an international pilot’s license
2. Edith Kanakaʻole – indigenous Hawaiian composer, chanter, kumu hula, custodian of native culture, traditions, and natural land
3. Eleanor Roosevelt – first lady, author, civil liberties and human rights advocate, Chairperson of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, instrumental in the passage of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
4. Jovita Idar – Mexican-American journalist, activist, teacher, community organizer, champion of bi-lingual education, and suffragist
5. Maria Tallchief – America’s first major prima ballerina who broke barriers as a Native American ballerina
In 2024, the American Women Quarters Program featured the following notable American women on the quarters:
1. Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray – was a poet, writer, activist, lawyer, and Episcopal priest. Murray is regarded as one of the most important social justice advocates of the twentieth century.
2. Honorable Patsy Takemoto Mink – As a Member of Congress, she fought for gender and racial equality, affordable childcare, and bilingual education. Mink was the champion of Title IX legislation in Congress, prohibiting sex discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Title IX was posthumously renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act.
3. Dr. Mary Edwards Walker – was a Civil War era surgeon, and women’s rights and dress reform advocate. Walker relentlessly pursued her desire to serve as a surgeon during the Civil War and in 1863 she became the first woman U.S. Army surgeon as a "Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon (civilian)." To date, Walker is the only woman to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
4. Celia Cruz – was a Cuban-American singer, cultural icon, and one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century. Known as the “Queen of Salsa,” Cruz’s numerous honors and awards include three American and four Latin Grammy awards, the Presidential Medal of Arts, and countless lifetime achievement awards.
5. Zitkala-Ša – also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, was a writer, composer, educator, and political activist for Native American rights and citizenship in the early 20th century. Zitkala-Ša was staunchly opposed to the annihilation of indigenous culture through assimilation after she was forced to give up her own Native American customs and traditions in exchange for education. Additionally, her advocacy work directly led to the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, which granted American Indians US Citizenship while still maintaining their tribal standing and citizenship.
The American Women Quarters Program features designs on the reverse (tails side) of quarters that celebrate the achievements and legacies of noteworthy women from various fields, including but not limited to suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, science, space, and the arts. The program aims to highlight the diverse and significant roles that women have played throughout American history.
The quarters in this series will be issued in the order in which the honored women served or made significant contributions to the nation. The program is set to run from 2022 to 2025, with the final designs and release schedule determined by the Secretary of the Treasury in consultation with the Women's Suffrage Centennial Commission, the Smithsonian Institution's American Women's History Initiative, and the National Women's History Museum.
Overall, the American Women Quarters Program serves as a meaningful tribute to the countless women who have shaped American society and history, providing a platform to recognize their invaluable contributions for generations to come.
In 2022, the American Women Quarters Program featured the following notable American women on the quarters:
1. Maya Angelou: Renowned poet, memoirist, and civil rights activist, best known for her autobiographical work "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings."
2. Wilma Mankiller: The first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, who focused on improving healthcare, education, and infrastructure during her tenure.
3. Sally Ride: The first American woman in space, who made history aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983, and later became an advocate for STEM education.
4. Nina Otero-Warren: A leader in New Mexico's suffrage movement, educator, and advocate for Hispanic and Native American rights, known for her work in education and public health.
5. Anna May Wong: A pioneering Chinese American actress who achieved international fame in the early 20th century, breaking barriers for Asian American performers in Hollywood.
In 2023, the American Women Quarters Program featured the following notable American women on the quarters:
1. Bessie Coleman – pilot, advocate, and pioneer who flew to great heights as the First African American and first Native American woman pilot, and first African American to earn an international pilot’s license
2. Edith Kanakaʻole – indigenous Hawaiian composer, chanter, kumu hula, custodian of native culture, traditions, and natural land
3. Eleanor Roosevelt – first lady, author, civil liberties and human rights advocate, Chairperson of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, instrumental in the passage of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
4. Jovita Idar – Mexican-American journalist, activist, teacher, community organizer, champion of bi-lingual education, and suffragist
5. Maria Tallchief – America’s first major prima ballerina who broke barriers as a Native American ballerina
In 2024, the American Women Quarters Program featured the following notable American women on the quarters:
1. Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray – was a poet, writer, activist, lawyer, and Episcopal priest. Murray is regarded as one of the most important social justice advocates of the twentieth century.
2. Honorable Patsy Takemoto Mink – As a Member of Congress, she fought for gender and racial equality, affordable childcare, and bilingual education. Mink was the champion of Title IX legislation in Congress, prohibiting sex discrimination in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Title IX was posthumously renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act.
3. Dr. Mary Edwards Walker – was a Civil War era surgeon, and women’s rights and dress reform advocate. Walker relentlessly pursued her desire to serve as a surgeon during the Civil War and in 1863 she became the first woman U.S. Army surgeon as a "Contract Acting Assistant Surgeon (civilian)." To date, Walker is the only woman to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
4. Celia Cruz – was a Cuban-American singer, cultural icon, and one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century. Known as the “Queen of Salsa,” Cruz’s numerous honors and awards include three American and four Latin Grammy awards, the Presidential Medal of Arts, and countless lifetime achievement awards.
5. Zitkala-Ša – also known as Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, was a writer, composer, educator, and political activist for Native American rights and citizenship in the early 20th century. Zitkala-Ša was staunchly opposed to the annihilation of indigenous culture through assimilation after she was forced to give up her own Native American customs and traditions in exchange for education. Additionally, her advocacy work directly led to the passage of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, which granted American Indians US Citizenship while still maintaining their tribal standing and citizenship.
