In honor of Women’s History Month, Washington Parent takes a look at a program that commemorates 20 outstanding women in our country’s past: you may not be familiar with the program but its outcomes could be passing through your hands every day!
The American Women Quarters™ Program is “the first circulating and numismatic quarter program that exclusively honors the achievements of women.” The program began in 2022 and will continue through 2025, with five new women honored every year.
Created to Honor American Women
The program was proposed by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, Sen. Deb Fischer, Former Rep. Barbara Lee and Former Rep. Anthony Gonzalez. The legislation was passed to honor American women for their contributions and accomplishments.
“It’s clear that the contributions of women to our history are often overlooked,” said Sen. Cortez Masto. “This legislation would ensure generations of Americans learn about the unsung pioneers who blazed a trail forward for women and girls in the Silver State and across the country.”
A Collaborative Selection Process
Honorees were chosen through a collaborative effort from the Secretary of the Treasury, the Smithsonian Institution’s American Women’s History Initiative, the National Women’s History Museum and the Congressional Bipartisan Women’s Caucus. In 2021, the United States Mint even invited the public to submit online recommendations for honorees through the National Women’s History Museum web page.
“Over the years, there have been so many influential women … who fought for what is right. Their courage, brilliance, and leadership changed this country and the world. I’m proud to … honor these women and make sure future generations know what an incredible difference they made in our nation’s history,” said Senator Fischer.
The Exceptional Women Honored
2022
- Maya Angelou: celebrated writer, performer and social activist
- Dr. Sally Ride: physicist, astronaut, educator and first American woman in space
- Wilma Mankiller: first woman elected principal chief of the Cherokee Nation
- Nina Otero-Warren: suffrage leader and the first woman superintendent of Santa Fe public schools
- Anna May Wong: first Chinese American film star in Hollywood
2023
- Bessie Coleman: first African American and first Native American woman licensed pilot
- Edith Kanakaʻole: indigenous Hawaiian composer, custodian of native culture and traditions
- Eleanor Roosevelt: leader, reformer, first lady and author
- Jovita Idar: Mexican American journalist, activist, teacher and suffragist
- Maria Tallchief: America’s first prima ballerina
2024
- Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray: poet, writer, activist, lawyer and Episcopal priest
- Patsy Takemoto Mink: first woman of color to serve in Congress
- Dr. Mary Edwards Walker: Civil War era surgeon, women’s rights and dress reform advocate
- Celia Cruz: Cuban American singer, “Queen of Salsa,” cultural icon and one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century
- Zitkala-Ša: writer, composer, educator and political activist
2025
- Ida B. Wells: investigative journalist, suffragist and civil rights activist
- Juliette Gordon Low: founder of Girl Scouts of the United States of America
- Dr. Vera Rubin: astronomer who pioneered work on galaxy rotation
- Stacey Park Milbern: activist for people with disabilities
- Althea Gibson: multisport athlete and first Black athlete to break the color barrier at the highest level in tennis
Honorees with D.C. Connections
While most of the honored women spent time in the DMV, the following had strong connections to the region.
- Eleanor Roosevelt: From 1933-1945, Eleanor Roosevelt spent time in Washington as the first lady and fought for civil rights.
- Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray: Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray later attended Howard University Law School, and while there wrote a paper challenging the “separate” part of the Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) Supreme Court decision. Murray also organized sit-ins in Washington, D.C. restaurants to challenge segregation.
- Dr. Vera Rubin: Having had some secondary schooling in Washington, Dr. Vera Rubin attended Georgetown University for her astronomy Ph.D. program. She later was the first female scientist at the Carnegie Institution’s Department of Terrestrial Magnetism in Washington, D.C.
- Zitkala-Ša: After moving to Washington to fulfill her role as the secretary for the Society of American Indians, Zitkala-Ša joined the women’s suffrage movement and created the National Council of American Indians with her husband.
How to Get Your Kids Involved
- Lessons That Make Cents: Check out the U.S. Mint Coin Classroom newsletter for fun monthly trivia and information about specific coins being released. In March 2025, Lessons That Make Cents features Ida B. Wells, the first 2025 American Women Quarters™ Program honoree.
- Coloring Pages: Take a creative approach to learning and have your kids color some coins. The U.S. Mint Coin Classroom offers printable PDF coloring pages of all 20 of the quarters from the American Women’s Quarters Program.
- Designing Your Own Coin: Inspire your kids to appreciate the women in their lives by having them design their own coin. The U.S. Mint Coin Classroom offers printable PDF coin outlines for your children to fill in with their own women heroes.
- Complete Coin Boards: Order free American Women Quarters™ Program Coin Boards to encourage your children to start collecting the limited-edition coins. The coin boards offer information about each woman honored and have a slot for each coin. The boards are limited to two per order.
Wardah Kamran is a former editorial intern with Washington Parent. She is a fourth year English and psychology major at the University of Virginia.
Liam McCrickard holds a B.A. in creative and professional writing from Goucher College. He is former assistant editor at Washington Parent. He works as a freelance designer, writer and editor of tabletop role-playing games.
Wardah Karman is an editorial intern with Washington Parent
