The first rolls of quarters featuring Maya Angelou on the tails side were distributed on January 10 as a part of the American Women Quarters Program. This program honors notable female figures throughout American history.
Her arms uplifted, a bird behind her flying into the sunrise landscape, she stands proudly: a tangible symbol of one of the most influential women in poetry and in Black history. The first rolls of quarters with Maya Angelou on the tails side were distributed as a part of the American Women Quarters Program on January 10 from U.S. Mint locations in Philadelphia and Denver. She is the first Black woman to be featured on the quarter.
The set of quarters featuring different prominent women can be purchased through the enrollment program on the U.S. Mint website, which guarantees the four sets of this year’s program honorees as a subscription. Pricing for the Proof Set starts at $21.00, and the Silver Proof Set costs $73.00.
A gifted writer, performer, and civil rights activist, Angelou grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. She was sexually assaulted by her mother’s boyfriend at just 7 years old, and due to the trauma she endured, she became mute for several years. During that time, she began to write.
Angelou rose to fame through acting, playing roles in various productions, such as the opera Porgy and Bess and the musical Calypso Heat Wave (1957). She went on to write her well-known memoir, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, in 1969 and won multiple awards for her acting and writing. As a civil rights activist, Angelou was also a member of the Harlem Writers Guild and was the northern coordinator of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. In 1993, Angelou recited “On the Pulse of Morning” – a poem focused on optimism, equality, and liberty – for Bill Clinton’s presidential inauguration.
Not only has Maya Angelou been recognized for her great achievements, but she has also served as a well-respected role model in Black history, inspiring many writers, performers, and Black figures alike. She has been the “first Black woman” for many events. This new quarter is just one of these many achievements.
The Mint deputy director reflected on Maya Angelou, stating that she “used words to inspire and uplift”, embodying the mission of the program that this coin is a part of. Her depiction is one of many featuring notable women who will be honored throughout 2022 to 2025 as a part of the American Women Quarters Program, which will commemorate 20 women in U.S. history. As described by the program, it is a way to “remind future generations what can be accomplished with vision, determination, and a desire to improve opportunities for all.” This year’s honorees are Maya Angelou, Dr. Sally Ride, Wilma Mankiller, Nina Otero-Warren, and Anna May Wong. Each of these women qualified for the program because their achievements have had a lasting impact on American history. Through their spotlight on the U.S. quarter, Maya Angelou and the other honorees will not only be recognized for their important accomplishments, but they will also continue to influence and motivate countless other women in their respective fields.
Sources:
https://catalog.usmint.gov/coins/coin-programs/american-women-quarters-program/ https://www.usnews.com/news/top-news/articles/2022-01-10/u-s-mint-rolls-out-quarters-featuring-late-author-activist-maya-angelou