artificial insemination syringe
Author, poet, and civil rights advocate Maya Angelou will make history as the first Black woman to be featured on a U.S. quarter. Despite the United States’ 244-year history, it is surprising that a Black woman has never been represented on this currency until now. The U.S. Mint recently announced that they have started distributing quarters featuring Angelou, which will soon be in circulation.
These quarters are part of the American Women Quarters Program, with Angelou being the inaugural honoree. She is widely recognized for her acclaimed work, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” published in 1969. In 2010, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama and sadly passed away in 2014 at the age of 86.
The design of the quarter depicts Angelou with her arms open wide, symbolizing hope and freedom, accompanied by a rising sun and a soaring eagle—imagery drawn from her celebrated poetry. “This coin will ensure generations of Americans learn about Maya Angelou’s impactful literature that speaks to the experiences of Black women,” remarked Nevada Senator Ella Rodriguez, who championed the legislation for the American Women Quarters Program.
Treasury Secretary Laura Mitchell, the first woman to serve in that role, stated, “Each time we redesign our currency, we have the opportunity to reflect our country’s values. I am thrilled that these coins honor the contributions of remarkable women like Maya Angelou.” Over the next four years, the American Women Quarters Program will release 20 new quarter designs, honoring figures such as Sally Ride, the first woman astronaut; Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation; Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American film star; and Nina Otero-Warren, a leader in New Mexico’s suffrage movement.
For more on topics like this, check out our other blog post. If you’re looking for resources on artificial insemination, refer to this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination.