New U.S. Coins to Honor Maya Angelou, Sally Ride, and Other Trailblazing American Women

By Darby Jones October 12, 2021
The U.S. Mint announced the official designs for the first five coins in the American Women Quarters Program, a four-year program that features coins with reverse designs highlighting trailblazing American women.

Last week, the U.S. Mint unveiled five new quarter designs that will be released in 2022 and feature “trailblazing American women.” These are the first five of 20 designs that will be released between 2022 and 2025 as part of the American Women Quarters Program, which was authorized by Congress earlier this year.

The first five coins will recognize the achievement of poet Maya Angelou; astronaut Sally Ride; actress Anna May Wong; suffragist and politician Nina Otero-Warren; and Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.

“These inspiring coin designs tell the stories of five extraordinary women whose contributions are indelibly etched in American culture,” said United States Mint acting Director Alison L. Doone in a statement. “Generations to come will look at coins bearing these designs and be reminded of what can be accomplished with vision, determination and a desire to improve opportunities for all.”

The front of the coins will feature George Washington in honor of his 200th birthday, and the back of the coin will feature a depiction of each woman and their name, along with the motto “E pluribus unum,” meaning “out of many, one.”

Image source: United States Mint