Dr. Maya Angelou is the first Black woman featured on an American currency. As part of the American Women Quarters Program, the 25-cent coins will be pressed at the United States Mints of Philadelphia and Denver.
The quarter’s bird in flight and rising sun design were inspired both by Dr. Angelou’s book, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,”By the way she lived her entire life.
In 1928, the poet, novelist, civil rights activist, and late poet was born. She was a performer on stage, earning Tony Award nominations and on-screen in classics such as the miniseries. “Roots.”
But it was Dr. Angelou’s inspiring words that most remember her for.
Her awards include a Pulitzer Prize nomination, a Presidential Medal of Freedom and the delivery of the poem “On the Pulse of Morning”At the 1993 presidential inauguration.
Dr. Angelou’s poems have even been made into dance music.
The American Women Quarters Program will welcome more faces on the 25-cent coin in the coming years, including astronaut Dr. Sally Ride, actress Anna Mae Wong, and the first female Chief of the Cherokee Nation, Wilma Mankiller.