Historic Change: Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Prima Ballerina Maria Tallchief


About the Program

In 1942, at the age of 17, Maria Tallchief moved to New York City to pursue her dreams of becoming a dancer. She joined the famed Ballet Russe Monte Carlo as an apprentice and moved quickly through the ranks, dancing first in the corps de ballet and later performing leading roles. In George Balanchine’s New York City Ballet, Tallchief achieved her goal of becoming America’s prima ballerina, the first Native American artist to achieve the rank.

Join us as we celebrate the latest release in the American Women Quarters™ Program, the first circulating coin program dedicated to honoring women whose achievements, triumphs and legacies reflect the strength, perseverance, and resiliency of our nation.

Program Participants

https://www.womenshistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/embedded_alt_1/public/images/2023-10/Michael%20Warth%20Headshot.png | Michael Banwarth | https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/michael-banwarth | Pianist, Lyric Opera’s Ryan Opera Center
https://www.womenshistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/embedded_alt_1/public/images/2023-10/Anthony%20Freud%20Headshot.png | Anthony Freud | https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/anthony-freud | President & CEO, Lyric Opera of Chicago
https://www.womenshistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/original_resolution/public/images/2023-10/Tallchief%20Quarter%20Sqaure.png | Katherine Harvey | https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/katherine-harvey | Friend of Maria Tallchief
https://www.womenshistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/main_image/public/images/2019-10/herrera.jpg| Jennifer Herrera | https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/jennifer-herrera | Vice President of External Affairs, National Women's History Museum
https://www.womenshistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/embedded_alt_1/public/images/2023-11/Larry%20Kaplan%20Headshot.png | Larry Kaplan | https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/larry-kaplan | Co-Author, "Maria Tallchief, America's Prima Ballerina"
https://www.womenshistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/embedded_alt_1/public/images/2023-10/Bill%20Kurtis%20Headshot.png | Bill Kurtis | https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/bill-kurtis| Chicago's Legendary Anchorman
https://www.womenshistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/original_resolution/public/images/2023-10/Donna%20LaPietra%20Headshot.png | Donna LaPietra | https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/donna-lapietra | Award winning television news producer and writer and co-founder of Kurtis Productions
https://www.womenshistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/embedded_alt_1/public/images/2023-10/Lucas%20Lopez%20Garcia%20Leon.jpg | Lucas Garcia Leon | https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/lucas-garcia-leon | Lucas Garcia Leon, Dancer, Joffrey Ballet Studio Company
https://www.womenshistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/embedded_alt_1/public/images/2023-10/Sophia%20Maekawa%20Headshot.png | Sophia Maekawa | https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/sophia-maekawa | Mezzo-soprano, Lyric Opera’s Ryan Opera Center
https://www.womenshistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/embedded_alt_1/public/images/2023-10/Kristie%20McNally%20Deputy%20Director.png | Kristie McNally | https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/kristie-mcnally | Deputy Director, United States Mint
https://www.womenshistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/embedded_alt_1/public/images/2023-10/Elise%20Paschen%20Headshot.png | Elise Paschen | https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/elise-paschen | World-Renowned Poet, Daughter of Maria Tallchief
https://www.womenshistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/main_image/public/images/2023-10/MarySmith-square.jpg | Mary Smith | https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/mary-smith | President of the American Bar Association and Member, National Women's History Museum Board of Directors |
https://www.womenshistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/embedded_alt_1/public/images/2023-10/Clara%20Thiele.jpg | Clara Thiele | https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/clara-thiele | Dancer, Joffrey Ballet Studio Company
https://www.womenshistory.org/sites/default/files/styles/main_image/public/images/2023-10/SusanWhiting-square.jpg | Susan D. Whiting | https://www.womenshistory.org/about-us/our-people/board-officers/susan-whiting | Chair, National Women's History Museum Board of Directors