American Women Quarters™ Program

In late 2020, Congress passed legislation (P.L. 116-330, signed into law on January 13, 2021) directing the U.S. Mint to consult with the National Women's History Museum, as well as the Smithsonian Institution American Women’s History Initiative and the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus, to identify prominent American women to honor on a series of quarter dollars over the next four years.

These trailblazing women will be featured on circulating and numismatic American Women Quarters™ Program coins beginning in January 2022. The public was invited to submit recommendations through a web portal hosted by the National Women's History Museum; more than 11,000 recommendations were submitted for consideration. Click here to learn more about this inspiring and important program, and download our classroom-ready posters here.

The 2022 Quarters

The first five women to be honored on coins issued under the American Women Quarters™ Program are Maya Angelou, world-renowned poet and scholar; Wilma Mankiller, the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation and an activist for Native American and women’s rights; Adelina Otero-Warren, a leader in New Mexico’s suffrage movement and the first female superintendent of Santa Fe public schools; Dr. Sally Ride, the first American woman in space and first acknowledged gay astronaut; and Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood, achieving international success despite racism and discrimination.

/sites/default/files/styles/main_image/public/images/2018-07/Angelou_Maya_NPG_SI_B2000196C%20square.jpg | Maya Angelou | https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/maya-angelou | Poet, dancer, singer, activist, and scholar, Maya Angelou is a world-famous author. She is best known for her unique and pioneering autobiographical writing style.

/sites/default/files/styles/main_image/public/images/2018-08/Wilma_Mankiller_0.jpg | Wilma Mankiller | https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/wilma-mankiller | Wilma Mankiller is honored and recognized as the first female Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. She is also the first woman elected as chief of a major Native tribe. She spent her remarkable life fighting for the rights of American Indians.

/sites/default/files/styles/main_image/public/images/2021-03/Adelina_Otero-Warren.jpg | Adelina Otero-Warren | https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/adelina-nina-otero-warren | Adelina Otero-Warren, the first Hispanic woman to run for U.S. Congress and the first female superintendent of public schools in Santa Fe, was a leader in New Mexico’s woman’s suffrage movement.

/sites/default/files/styles/main_image/public/images/2018-08/220px-Sally_Ride_in_1984.jpg | Dr. Sally Ride | https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/sally-ride | Sally Ride was the first American woman in space. She made her journey into history on June 18, 1983. Throughout her life, Dr. Ride broke barriers and worked to ensure that girls and women were encouraged to do the same.

/sites/default/files/styles/main_image/public/images/2021-04/Anna-May-Wong-Square.png | Anna May Wong | https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/anna-may-wong | Appearing in over 60 movies throughout her career, Anna May Wong was the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood. Internationally recognized, her legacy continues to influence entertainers around the world.

The 2023 Quarters

The second five women to be honored on coins issued under the American Women Quarters™ Program are Bessie Coleman, the first African American and first Native American woman pilot; Edith Kanakaʻole, indigenous Hawaiian composer, custodian of native culture and traditions; Eleanor Roosevelt, first lady, author, and civil liberties advocate; Jovita Idár, Mexican-American journalist, activist, teacher, and suffragist; and Maria Tallchief, America’s first prima ballerina.