The U.S. Mint recently announced the upcoming release of five new quarters featuring trailblazing American women in 2025. These women include Ida B. Wells, a journalist and civil rights activist; Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA; Vera Rubin, a pioneering astronomer; Stacey Park Milbern, a disability activist; and Althea Gibson, a legendary golfer and tennis player.
The American Women Quarters Program, which began in 2022, aims to showcase the achievements of inspiring women who have made significant contributions to society. The Mint’s director, Ventris C. Gibson, expressed excitement about honoring these incredible women and educating the public about their remarkable legacies.
The selection process for the honorees involved nominations from the public, with the final decisions made by the Secretary of the Treasury in collaboration with prominent organizations such as the Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Initiative and the National Women’s History Museum. Each quarter will feature a portrait of the woman it honors, highlighting her accomplishments.
The reverse side of the coins will showcase Low beside the Girl Scout’s trefoil logo, Rubin against a backdrop of celestial objects, Wells with the words “journalist, suffragist, civil rights activist,” Milbern speaking from her wheelchair with “disability justice,” and Gibson holding a tennis racket behind a net. These designs pay tribute to the diverse achievements of the women being honored.
While the front of the quarters will still feature George Washington, the design by Laura Gardin Fraser will be used instead of the traditional John Flanagan version. This change offers a fresh perspective on the iconic image of the first president, with Fraser’s depiction showing Washington facing the opposite direction.
With a total of 20 women now honored by the American Women Quarters Program, there is a growing recognition of women’s contributions to American history. Elizabeth C. Babcock, the director of the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum, emphasized the importance of representing women in historical narratives and acknowledging their roles in shaping the nation’s history.
The American Women Quarters Program aims to bridge the gaps in traditional historical narratives by highlighting the achievements of women from various fields, including artists, scientists, astronauts, Indigenous leaders, composers, dancers, and activists. By featuring these women on circulating coins, the program seeks to inspire future generations and celebrate the diverse contributions of American women throughout history.
