US Mint launches coins to honor notable female figures

The United States Mint said Monday it has begun shipping quarters featuring the image of Maya Angelou, the first coins in its American Women Quarters Program. Angelou, an American author, poet and Civil Rights activist was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010 by President Barack Obama. The quarter design depicts Angelou with outstretched arms. Behind her are a bird in flight and a rising sun, images inspired by her poetry. The mint's program will issue 20 quarters over the next four years honoring women and their achievements in shaping the nation's history.

Deputy Director, US Mint, Gibson said "They're powerful. They're inspiring examples of the breadth and depth of the accomplishments that we're celebrating through this historic coin program."

Additional honorees in 2022 will be physicist and first woman astronaut Sally Ride, and Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. Nina Otero-Warren, a leader in New Mexico's suffrage movement and the first female superintendent of Santa Fe public schools, and Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood are also honored for this year.