Dr. Maya Angelou is the first Black women featured on United States Quarter
Dr. Maya Angelou, legendary author and poet, is the first featured in a series of new quarters issued by the U.S. Mint
Earlier this year, the United States Mint recently began shipping quarters featuring the image of poet Dr. Maya Angelou, the first coins in its American Women Quarters Program.
Dr. Angelou, an American author, poet and civil rights activist, rose to prominence with the publication of “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” in 1969. Angelou, who passed in 2014 at the age of 86, 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 U.S. Mint's program will issue 20 quarters over the next four years honoring women and their achievements in shaping the nation’s history.
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. Also honored this year will be 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.
Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada, the Senate sponsor of legislation directing the mint to issue the quarters honoring women, applauded the mint’s selection of Angelou for the first coin.
“This coin will ensure generations of Americans learn about Maya Angelou’s books and poetry that spoke to the lived experience of Black women,” she said in a statement.
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, the nation’s first female treasury secretary, said, “Each time we redesign our currency, we have the chance to say something about our country …. I’m very proud that these coins celebrate the contributions of some of America’s most remarkable women, including Maya Angelou.”
Mr. Guy Johnson, Dr. Maya Angelou's son, shared, "This is a remarkable event in American history and an acknowledgment of the contribution that women have made throughout our history. Furthermore, this honor recognizes the diversity of our population, and while this is an important step forward, we still have a long journey ahead to achieve true justice and equality in our society. The Dr. Maya Angelou family is extremely grateful for this honor. We thank all the individuals that have worked to bring this honor to fruition."
The United States Mint is offering a free coin board with slots to store the quarters for this year’s honorees. Information on the honorees is included on the back. Collectors can request a coin board by emailing Education.Outreach@usmint.treas.gov.
Look for these quarters in your change. Or shop online and enroll in this groundbreaking program to sign up to receive all four annual installments as they become available. Limited quantities will be produced, so enroll to ensure you receive a complete collection. https://www.usmint.gov/coins/coin-medal-programs/american-women-quarters/maya-angelou
As of April 1, the mint is currently out of this item due to overwhelming demand, but more may be available later. If you provide your email address or cell number using the “REMIND ME” button under the Dr. Angelou Quarter product link here, you will receive any back-in-stock messages related to this product directly from the U.S. Mint.
