2024 American Women Quarters

Posted by Andrew Adamo on Feb 23rd 2024

American Women Quarters Program

The American Women Quarters Program is a four-year initiative celebrating the significant achievements and contributions of women across the United States. Kicking off in 2022 and extending through 2025, the U.S. Mint plans to release up to five unique reverse designs annually. Each coin will feature a portrayal of George Washington on the obverse, distinct from the imagery used in the preceding quarter series.

This program aims to highlight women's contributions across various sectors, including suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space exploration, and the arts. It seeks to honor women from diverse ethnic, racial, and geographical backgrounds.

Legislatively backed by the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act of 2020, the American Women Quarters Program represents a significant acknowledgment of women's roles in shaping the nation.

Look for these quarters in your change or shop online for US Mint Quarters products.

American Women Quarters

The pioneering American women celebrated on the quarters are listed below in the order the quarters will be released.

2024 American Women Quarters

Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray

Poet, writer, activist, lawyer, and Episcopal priest.

Patsy Takemoto Mink

The first woman of color to serve in Congress.

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker

Civil War era surgeon, women’s rights and dress reform advocate.

Celia Cruz

Cuban-American singer, cultural icon, and one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century.

Zitkala-Ša

Writer, composer, educator, and political activist.

Women Quarters Obverse Design

The obverse of each American Women Quarters coin will display a depiction of George Washington facing right, a creation originally envisioned and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser. This design was initially proposed for the 1932 quarter in celebration of Washington's 200th birthday. However, the design that was ultimately chosen by then-Treasury Secretary Mellon featured John Flanagan's portrayal of Washington facing left.

Laura Gardin Fraser is recognized as one of the early 20th century's most esteemed female sculptors. Her notable achievements include designing the Alabama Centennial Half Dollar in 1921, making her the first woman to design a coin for the U.S. The U.S. Mint later honored Fraser's rendition of George Washington by using it on a 1999 gold commemorative coin, which was issued to mark the 200th anniversary of Washington's passing.

Design Selection Process

The Treasury Secretary determines the individuals to be honored after discussions with the Smithsonian Institution's American Women's History Initiative, the National Women's History Museum, and the Congressional Bipartisan Women’s Caucus. In 2021, the National Women’s History Museum opened a web portal, inviting the public to propose candidates for recognition.

Step One – Designate Representatives

The United States Mint (Mint) begins the design phase by reaching out to designated contacts at the Smithsonian Institution’s American Women’s History Initiative (SIWHI) and the National Women’s History Museum (NWHM), collectively known as “legislated consultants,” to select one or more persons to act as representatives to the Mint for this coin series.

Step Two – Create a Collection of Design Ideas

In consultation with our legislated consultants, as well as representatives from other federal institutions they recommend, such as the National Archives and Records Administration, the National Academy of Sciences, and the National Gallery of Art, the Mint develops a pool of design concepts that celebrate the important accomplishments and contributions made by women of the United States to the development and history of our country. This collection will be partly built through public suggestions and discussions with the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus. It aims to cover a broad range of achievements and sectors, including but not limited to, women's suffrage, civil rights, the abolition movement, government, science, space exploration, and the arts, while celebrating women from diverse ethnic and geographical backgrounds. The Mint will format each idea as a title or narrative and collaborate with the legislated consultants and other experts to ensure the collection is both accurate and fitting.

Step Three – Submission of Concept Proposals & Approval by the Secretary

Continuing the dialogue with the legislated consultants and relevant experts, and in coordination with the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) members, the Mint formulates official proposals for design concepts based on the ideas gathered in Step Two. These proposals will outline the specific women to be commemorated in one or several years of the program, determine the quantity of quarter designs to be released annually, suggest possible thematic groupings, and propose the sequence of the designs. The Director of the United States Mint will then present these detailed proposals to the Secretary of the Treasury for final approval.

Step Four – Creation of Designs

Following the Secretary of the Treasury's endorsement of the recommended concepts, the Mint will move forward with crafting the original designs for the quarters. This process emphasizes artistic elegance, historical fidelity, suitability, and manufacturability. To guarantee the historical precision and respectful portrayal of the proposed designs, the Mint will work closely with its mandated consultants and additional experts as needed.

Step Five – Design Evaluation

The Mint will submit the proposed designs, accompanied by feedback or suggestions from the legislated consultants, to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts (CFA) for their input, and to the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) for thorough examination. The Mint will take into account all feedback and suggestions, making adjustments to the proposed designs as necessary.

Step Six – Final Selection

The Mint will present final candidate designs, along with recommendations from all stakeholders, to the Secretary for final design selection

2022 -2023 Women Quarters

2022

Maya Angelou – celebrated writer, performer, and social activist
Dr. Sally Ride – physicist, astronaut, educator, and first American woman in space
Wilma Mankiller – first woman elected principal chief of the Cherokee Nation
Nina Otero-Warren – suffrage leader and the first woman superintendent of Santa Fe public schools
Anna May Wong – first Chinese American film star in Hollywood

2023

Bessie Coleman – first African American and first Native American woman licensed pilot
Edith Kanakaʻole – indigenous Hawaiian composer, custodian of native culture and traditions
Eleanor Roosevelt – leader, reformer, first lady, and author
Jovita Idar – Mexican-American journalist, activist, teacher, and suffragist
Maria Tallchief – America’s first prima ballerina

Resource: US Mint

FAQs:

How does the U.S. Mint ensure the accuracy and respectfulness in the portrayal of each woman featured on the quarters?

The U.S. Mint ensures accuracy and respectfulness in the portrayal of each woman featured on the quarters by engaging in a thorough and collaborative design process. This process involves consultations with historians, scholars, and representatives from relevant institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution’s American Women’s History Initiative and the National Women’s History Museum. The Mint also solicits input from the public and considers suggestions from the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus. By formatting each design idea as a title or narrative and working closely with these consultants and experts, the Mint aims to capture the essence and achievements of each woman accurately. Additionally, the Mint submits proposed designs to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee for review, incorporating their feedback to ensure that the final designs are both historically accurate and respectful of the women's legacies they are meant to commemorate.

Are there any plans to continue celebrating women's achievements on U.S. currency after the American Women Quarters Program concludes in 2025?

Regarding plans to continue celebrating women's achievements on U.S. currency after the American Women Quarters Program concludes in 2025, the U.S. Mint has not explicitly outlined future programs in the provided information. However, the success and public interest in the American Women Quarters Program could potentially influence future initiatives. The Mint's ongoing efforts to represent diverse figures and historical contributions on U.S. currency suggest an openness to continuing similar programs that highlight underrepresented groups and individuals who have significantly impacted American history and culture.

How can the public get involved or provide input on future coin programs beyond the American Women Quarters Program?

The public can get involved or provide input on future coin programs beyond the American Women Quarters Program through several channels. The National Women’s History Museum previously opened a web portal for the public to propose candidates for the American Women Quarters Program, indicating the Mint's interest in public suggestions. While specific future initiatives for public involvement were not detailed, individuals interested in influencing future coin programs should monitor the U.S. Mint's official website and press releases for announcements regarding public input opportunities. Engaging with coin collecting communities and participating in discussions can also be a way to advocate for future themes and honorees on U.S. currency. Additionally, contacting legislators to express support for coin programs that celebrate historical figures and achievements can help shape future minting initiatives.