Maya Angelou, Sally Ride will be first women featured on the US quarters

By Alyssa Wilson Published: May 11, 2021

Maya Angelou, Sally Ride will be first women featured on the US quarters

The U.S. Mint hs launched the American Women Quarters Program. Dr. Maya Angelou and Dr. Sally Ride will be the first women featured.

By: Alyssa Wilson

The life and legacy of poet Dr. Maya Angelou and astronaut Dr. Sally Ride will be honored by the U.S. Mint in a new series of quarters focused on 20 influential women. They will be the first two women featured on the coins.

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The late Dr. Maya Angelou was a famous poet, writer, editor, essayist and civil rights activist. Dr. Sally Ride was a physicist and the first American woman to fly in space.

“I am a Woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal Woman, that’s me.” #MayaAngelou Dr. Angelou and trailblazing astronaut Dr. #SallyRide will be the first two women on the @usmint issued under the American Women Quarters Program starting in January 2022.https://t.co/6hOQSZDuM7 pic.twitter.com/f6C4UFZGsz

— Maya Angelou (@DrMayaAngelou) May 8, 2021

The new collection of quarters is set to debut in January 2022 and run in circulation through 2025 as part of the American Women Quarters Program, PEOPLE reported.

According to the U.S. Mint, the coins will continue to have a likeness of George Washington on the heads side. The opposite side will feature the likeness of the women being honored.

Congresswoman Barbara Lee of California applauded the initiative and praised the U.S. Mint, saying, “For too long, many of the women who have contributed to our country’s history have gone unrecognized, especially women of color. I am pleased to see that the first women to be recognized under my bill are outstanding individuals in the fields of science and literature: Dr. Sally Ride and Dr. Maya Angelou. They paved the way for many who came after them and inspired young women to carry on their legacy. Our goal in working on this legislation was to honor phenomenal women like Dr. Maya Angelou and Dr. Sally Ride. I’m glad they are among the first of many to be recognized.”

The U.S. Mint is accepting recommendations for women to be honored in the program. You can submit a recommendation here.