American Women quarters facts for kids

The American Women quarters are a special series of quarters. They honor important women in U.S. history. This program celebrates 100 years since the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed. This amendment gave women the right to vote.

The United States Mint will make these coins from 2022 to 2025. They will release up to five new designs each year. This means there could be up to 20 different designs in total.

Each coin will feature one woman on its back side (called the reverse). These women are chosen for their big contributions to the United States. Their achievements cover many areas. These include voting rights, civil rights, science, space, and arts. The front side of each coin (called the obverse) will show a new picture of George Washington.

About the American Women Quarters

What are These Quarters?

The American Women quarters are a new set of 25-cent coins. They are made to celebrate amazing women from U.S. history. Each coin tells a story about a woman who made a difference.

Why Were They Created?

This program was started to mark a special anniversary. It celebrates 100 years since the 19th Amendment became law. This amendment was a huge step for women's rights. It gave women across the country the right to vote. The coins help us remember these important moments and people.

The idea for these coins came from a law passed in 2020. It was called the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act. Some lawmakers, like Representatives Barbara Lee and Anthony Gonzalez, helped make this law happen.

How Long Will This Program Last?

The U.S. Mint plans to release these quarters from 2022 to 2025. Each year, you can expect to see up to five new designs. This means there will be many different women honored over these four years. After this program, there will be another series of quarters from 2027 to 2030. Those coins will feature youth sports.

Some coin collectors like to see new coin designs often. Others prefer fewer new coins each year. They might be more interested in changes to other types of coins.

The Coin Designs

George Washington on the Front

The front of every American Women quarter will show a new image of George Washington. This picture was designed by Laura Gardin Fraser way back in 1931. It was chosen by special committees that advise on coin designs. This same image was also used on a special half-eagle coin in 1999. That coin celebrated 200 years since Washington's death.

Honoring Women on the Back

The back of each quarter is where the honored women will appear. The United States Secretary of the Treasury chooses these women. They get advice from groups like the Smithsonian Institution's American Women's History Initiative. The public also helped by suggesting women in 2021.

Who Are the Honorees?

The first women to be featured on the quarters are:

• Maya Angelou: She was a famous writer and poet. She is the first Black woman to be featured on U.S. currency.
• Sally Ride: She was the first American woman to travel to space.
• Wilma Mankiller: She was the first woman to be elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.
• Adelina Otero-Warren: She was a leader in the women's right to vote movement. She is the first Hispanic American on U.S. currency.
• Anna May Wong: She was a pioneering actress in Hollywood. She is the first Asian American on U.S. currency.

Other amazing women chosen for 2023 include:

• Bessie Coleman
• Jovita Idár
• Edith Kanakaʻole
• Eleanor Roosevelt
• Maria Tallchief

More women will be announced for 2024 and 2025.

See also

In Spanish: American Women quarters para niños