The United States has four major coins. They are the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter. Soon, one of these coins will get a big change. Last week, the U.S. announced five new designs. They are for the 2022 American Women Quarters collection. Five ladies will be featured on U.S. quarters. Read on to learn who made it onto the money!
Nina Otero-Warren (1881–1965)
¡Voto para la mujer! That is Spanish for “votes for women.” This slogan showed up in the 1900s. It will also appear on Nina Otero-Warren’s quarter. She was a leader in the women’s
movement in New Mexico. Otero-Warren also became the first Hispanic woman to run for U.S. Congress. Otero-Warren will be on a quarter. Three yucca flowers sit on her right. That’s New Mexico’s state flower!
Anna May Wong (1905–1961)
As a kid, Anna May Wong used her lunch money to go to the movies. She wanted to be a movie star! Wong was often bullied because of her race. But that didn’t stop her. She became the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood! Wong was in many movies. Wong’s quarter will show her face. Small light bulbs surround her image.
Maya Angelou (1928-2014)
“The caged bird sings of freedom.” Maya Angelou wrote those words. Throughout her life, Angelou wrote more than 30 books. Angelou’s quarter will show her with her arms raised. A bird and a sun sit behind Angelou.
Wilma Mankiller (1945–2010)
Wilma Mankiller grew up in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. That is the capital of the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee Nation is one of the largest tribes of Native Americans. Mankiller moved to California when she was 11. There, she met other Native Americans. She learned about their cultures. Mankiller later became the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. She spent her life fighting for the rights of Native Americans. Mankiller will star on a quarter. The seven-pointed star of the Cherokee Nation sits on her left.
Sally Ride (1951–2012)
Sally Ride encouraged girls to study science. She even wrote children’s books! Ride also became the first American woman in space in 1983. She once said, “I was usually at a window looking down at Earth.” Her quarter reflects this quote. Ride’s coin will show the astronaut next to a space shuttle window. The Earth sits below.
Updated October 13, 2021, 5:01 P.M. (ET)
By Alexa Tirapelli
