About two years ago, I introduced myself as a numismatist (collector of money) and published four blogs that intersected my hobby with my profession as a diversity, equity and inclusion consultant.
In June, 2020 – “Black Lives Matter and the $20 Bill – an Awful American Travesty,” I recounted the very sad story of how the approved plans to place African-American abolitionist Harriet Tubman on our $20 bill got derailed.
In July, 2020, I followed with – “A Black Lives Matter and an American Coinage Travesty – blog 2,” I recount the sad story of a Ku Klux Klan-inspired coin.
Then in December, 2020 – I connect our nation’s monetary currency to diversity issues: in “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime” I recount how Republicans during the Great Depression attempted to censure this song.
In my 4th blog of the series, I wrote about women around the world featured on paper money and coinage. Included in that blog where photos of the first two quarters of the USA’s latest American women quarter series:
Maya Angelou – celebrated African-American writer, performer, and social activist
Dr. Sally Ride – physicist, astronaut, educator, and first American woman in space. Also a visible and out lesbian.
Now, in the second half of 2023, the next three quarters were released:
Wilma Mankiller – an activist within the Native American community and the first woman elected as deputy chief and elevated to principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. She was active in San Francisco’s social and political movements, particularly those affecting Native Americans. In 1977, she returned to the Cherokee Nation and founded the Community Development Department for the Cherokee Nation. She was named Ms. Magazine’s “Woman on the Year” in 1987.
Nina Otero-Warren – A leader for women suffrage and in bridging the gap between New Mexico’s Spanish-speaking and English-speaking communities. She was the first Latina in the USA to run for Congress but did lose the election. She served as Superintendent of Instruction with Santa Fe, New Mexico schools and served on the state Board of Health and was an advocate for literacy through her work with the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
Anna May Wong – Trailblazing first Asian-American movie star. During her career, though she was acclaimed as an outstanding actress, she was mostly casted in stereotypical Asian roles. Later in her career, she became the first Asian-American to play a leading role in a television series, and she continually fought for fair representation of Asian-Americans in the performing arts.
What is remarkable is the wonderful diversity of these first five quarters featuring Black, Lesbian, Latino, Native American and Asian women.
Now be looking for these quarters in your change!