Starting in 2022, the American Women’s Quarters program will release quarters, bullion coins, and proofs with designs on the reverse honoring notable American women. The honorees were nominated by the public in 2021 through a survey created by the National Women’s History Museum. Nominees include women’s rights activists, the first women in STEM, Nobel Peace Prize winners, and more. Five quarters will be issued each year through 2025. Like the America the Beautiful quarters, these commemorative coins are ideal for collecting. The obverse of the quarters features the classic 1999 bust of George Washington, while the reverse features a unique design for each honoree.
List of American Women’s Quarters
Below is the working list of the available American Women’s Quarters in the series, showing the year they were released, the number in the series, the honoree, and the coin’s reverse design. Each design was carefully selected to reflect each American woman’s most notable accomplishments in every aspect, from the placement of her name, font, and appearance. Some designs even stylistically incorporate the standard inscriptions that typically include the denomination, “United States of America,” and “E pluribus unum.”
| Year | Number | Honoree | Design |
| 2022 | 1 | Maya Angelou | Angelou with arms open wide in front of a soaring eagle and a sunrise |
| 2 | Dr. Sally Ride | Ride is depicted beside a space shuttle window where the Earth is shown | |
| 3 | Wilma Mankiller | Mankiller wearing a shawl next to a seven-pointed star with “Cherokee Nation” in Cherokee and her name in the foreground | |
| 4 | Nina Otero-Warren | Otero-Warren holds three yucca flowers and the phrase “Vote for Women” in Spanish beside her and her name below | |
| 5 | Anna May Wong | Wong’s face and hand in a straightforward pose along with her name are surrounded by traditional marquee lights | |
| 2023 | 6 | Bessie Coleman | Coleman in classic flight garb looking at the sky where a biplane flies through the clouds along with her name and the date she received her pilot’s license |
| 7 | Edith Kanaka’ole | Kanaka’ole wearing a lei in her long, flowing hair blends into the Hawaiian landscape and the phrase “granting the wisdom” in Hawaiian, as well as a 25¢ denomination unlike the rest | |
| 8 | Eleanor Roosevelt | Roosevelt stands before a globe next to the scales of justice with the inscription “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” below | |
| 9 | Jovita Idar | Idar’s bust with her hands clasped is made up of inscriptions reflecting her accomplishments and each newspaper she was published in on a solid background | |
| 10 | Maria Tallchief | Tallchief leaps through the air in a grand jeté above her name in English and Osage | |
| 2024 | 11 | Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray | Inside the word “Hope” is Rev. Dr. Murray’s portrait and quotation “A song in a weary throat” from their poem Dark Testament above their name |
| 12 | Patsy Takemoto Mink | Mink wearing a lei holds a copy of Title IX in front of the capitol above the inscription “Equal Opportunity in Education” | |
| 13 | Dr. Mary Edwards Walker | Dr. Walker wearing a medal of honor stands next to a closeup of the medal and her name above a banner inscribed with “Medal of honor 1865” | |
| 14 | Celia Cruz | Cruz singing into a microphone next to her catchprase “¡AZÚCAR!” which is Spanish for sugar, her name inscribed on the bottomCruz singing into a microphone next to her catchprase “¡AZÚCAR!” which is Spanish for sugar, her name inscribed on the bottom | |
| 15 | Zitkala-Ša | Zitkala-Ša stands before a dove flying into the sunset holding a book next to the inscription “Author, Activist, Composer” above her name | |
| 2025 | 16 | Ida B. Wells | To Be Announced |
| 17 | Juliette Gordon Low | To Be Announced | |
| 18 | Dr. Vera Rubin | To Be Announced | |
| 19 | Stacey Park Milbern | To Be Announced | |
| 20 | Althea Gibson | To Be Announced |
The Women Who Inspired the Series
Each coin was carefully designed to reflect the honoree’s most celebrated accomplishments, their incredible lives, personalities, heritage, and appearance. Let’s look at each coin closely and learn about the iconic women who inspired this historical series.
#1: Maya Angelou
Maya Angelou was the first honoree to be featured in the series. The coin was released on January 3, 2022. Sculpted by Craig Cambell and designed by Emily Damstra, the coin was minted in Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. This coin also marks the first time an African American is featured on U.S. currency.
Maya Angelou, an iconic writer, poet, and civil rights activist, earned global acclaim with her autobiography I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings. She received over 30 honorary degrees, published over 30 bestselling works, and delivered the celebrated poem On the Pulse of the Morning at President Bill Clinton’s inauguration. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2010 and the Literarian Award in 2013, among many other accolades.
#2: Dr. Sally Ride
The second quarter in the series honors astronaut Dr. Sally Ride. A quote from her space mission inspires the design: “When I wasn’t working, I was usually at a window looking down at Earth.” The coin was released on March 22, 2022, and was minted in Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Elana Hagler made the design, and Phebe Hemphill sculpted it.
Sally Ride, the first American woman in space and the first known gay astronaut, was a trailblazing physicist who served on both investigation boards for NASA’s space shuttle accidents. She later became NASA’s special assistant for strategic planning and a professor at the University of California, San Diego, where she directed the Space Institute. In 2001, she founded Sally Ride Science to inspire young women in STEM. Honored with numerous awards, including the Jefferson Award for Public Service and induction into both the National Women’s Hall of Fame and the Astronaut Hall of Fame, Ride’s legacy continues to empower future generations.
#3: Wilma Mankiller
The 3rd coin in the series honors Wilma Mankiller. The coin was released on June 6, 2022, and was minted in Denver, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. It was designed by Benjamin Sowards and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill, who also sculpted the Sally Ride coin.
Wilma Mankiller, the first woman elected chief of the Cherokee Nation and the first female chief of a major Native tribe, was a transformative leader. She advanced her tribe’s welfare through healthcare, education, housing, and community development, including founding the Cherokee Nation’s Community Development Department. Her efforts inspired the film The Cherokee Word for Water. Mankiller’s achievements earned her numerous honors, including Ms. Magazine’s Woman of the Year (1987), induction into the National Women’s Hall of Fame (1993), and the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1998).
#4: Nina Otero-Warren
The fourth coin in the series honors Nina Otero-Warren. It was released on August 15, 2022, and minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Chris Costello designed it, and Craig Campbell, who also sculpted the Maya Angelou quarter, sculpted it.
Adelina “Nina” Otero-Warren was a groundbreaking advocate for women’s rights and education in New Mexico. The first Hispanic woman to run for U.S. Congress and Santa Fe’s first female superintendent of public schools, she championed bilingual education and preserving Hispano culture. A leader in the New Mexico women’s suffrage movement, she ensured suffrage materials were published in Spanish and English, contributing to the state’s ratification of the 19th Amendment in 1920. Otero-Warren later led the National Woman’s Party and held prominent roles in literacy and public works programs, including directing the WPA in Puerto Rico. In her later years, she authored Old Spain in Our Southwest and co-founded Las Dos Realty and Insurance Company.
#5: Anna May Wong
The fifth quarter in the American Women’s Quarter Program honors Anna May Wong, the first Chinese American Hollywood star. It was released on October 25, 2022, and minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco. Emily Damstra, who also designed the Maya Angelou quarter, designed it, and John P. McGraw sculpted it.
Anna May Wong (born Wong Liu Tsong) was Hollywood’s first Chinese American film star, appearing in over 60 films, stage productions, and television shows. She began her career at age 14 as an extra in The Red Lantern and later starred in one of the first Technicolor films. Despite facing discrimination and being typecast, she achieved international acclaim, particularly for her role in Shanghai Express (1932). Wong also became the first Asian American to lead a U.S. television show, The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong.
#6: Bessie Coleman
Starting in 2023, the 6th in the series and first coin in the second installment honors Bessie Coleman, the first African American and Native American woman pilot. The coin was released on January 3, 2023, and minted in Denver and Philadelphia. It was designed by Chris Costello, who also designed the Nina Otero-Warren quarter, and sculpted by Eric David Custer.
Bessie Coleman was the first African American woman to earn an international pilot’s license, achieving this milestone in 1921 after training in France due to discrimination in the United States. Known as “Queen Bess, Daredevil Aviatrix,” she thrilled audiences as a stunt pilot, touring the U.S. and Europe to promote aviation among African Americans and endorsed civil rights. Refusing to participate in projects that demeaned her community, Coleman became a symbol of pride and perseverance. Despite a setback after a crash, she resumed her daring performances, using her platform to inspire others until her sudden death in a 1926 accident.
#7: Edith Kanaka‘ole
Edith Kanaka’ole is honored in the 7th coin in the series. The quarter was released on March 27, 2023, at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. It was designed by Emily Damstra, who designed two previous quarters in the series, and sculpted by Renata Gordon. The phrase “E hō mai ka ʻike” inscribed on the coin is one of many chants she composed.
Edith Kanaka‘ole, a celebrated composer, dancer, and Kumu Hula, dedicated her life to preserving Hawaiian culture during a time of cultural suppression. She composed traditional Hawaiian chants and songs, choreographed accompanying Hula dances, and toured internationally to share her artistry. In honor of her late mother, she founded a Hula school to teach the sacred art. As a professor at the University of Hawai‘i and a cultural advocate, she taught Hawaiian chants, myths, history, and ethnobotany. She created a Hawaiian language program that led to the establishment of over 20 immersion schools. Her efforts earned her numerous accolades, including the Distinction of Cultural Leadership in 1979. Her devotion to her heritage continued to inspire even after her death, with her second album posthumously winning Best Traditional Album at the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards.
#8: Eleanor Roosevelt
The 8th coin in the series honors Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the nation’s most influential First Ladies. The quarter was released on June 5, 2023, at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. Designed by Don Everhart and sculpted by Craig Campbell, the reverse depicts Roosevelt’s commitment to civil rights.
Eleanor Roosevelt, known as “First Lady of the World,” was a pioneering activist for human rights, women’s suffrage, and social justice. Before becoming First Lady, she led organizations like the League of Women Voters and endorsed women in politics. During her tenure, she used her platform to advocate for marginalized groups, expand the New Deal, and promote labor and civil rights. In 1939, she took a stand against racism by publicly resigning from the Daughters of the American Revolution. This occurred after they refused to allow Marian Anderson, a renowned African American contralto, to perform at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., due to their discriminatory policies. After Franklin D. Roosevelt’s death, she chaired the United Nations Human Rights Commission, drafted the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and led the President’s Commission on the Status of Women under John F. Kennedy. A legendary leader for equality, she worked on the Equal Pay Act and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for her lifelong dedication to justice.
#9: Jovita Idar
9th in the American Women Quarters honors Jovita Idar, a renowned Mexican-American journalist, activist, and suffragist. The coin was released on August 14, 2023, at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. It was designed and sculpted by John P. McGraw, who also sculpted the Anna May Wong quarter.
Jovita Idar was a pioneering journalist and activist for Mexican American rights. Writing for her family’s newspaper, La Crónica, she advocated for issues like racism, women’s suffrage, and the Mexican Revolution. She co-organized the First Mexican Congress and founded La Liga Feminil Mexicaista in 1911, advocating for women’s suffrage and education for Mexican American students. During the Mexican Revolution, she served as a nurse with La Cruz Blanca and later protested U.S. military intervention through her work at El Progreso, which Texas Rangers shut down. Taking over La Crónica in 1914, Idar continued her advocacy before becoming editor of El Heraldo Cristiano, where she promoted women’s rights, volunteered in her community, and established a free kindergarten in San Antonio.
#10: Maria Tallchief
Released on October 23, 2023, the 10th quarter and final in the second installment of the American Women Quarters honors Maria Tallchief. It was designed by Benjamin Sowards, who previously designed the Wilma Mankiller quarter, and sculpted by Joseph Menna. The coin is minted at the Philadelphia Mint and Denver Mint, with the possibility of also being minted at the San Francisco Mint later, much like the rest of the series.
Maria Tallchief, the first Native American prima ballerina, rose to international acclaim through her groundbreaking performances. She began her career with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, became the first American to perform with the Paris Opera Ballet in 1947, and later starred as prima ballerina of the New York City Ballet. In 1960, she made history as the first American to perform at Moscow’s Bolshoi Theater. Despite pressures to change her last name to avoid discrimination, Tallchief proudly embraced her heritage and became a vocal supporter of Native American rights. After retiring, she founded the Chicago City Ballet, continuing her legacy in dance.
#11: Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray
The first quarter in the third installment of the American Women Quarters honors Reverend Doctor Pauli Murray. It was released on February 1, 2024. Emily Damstra, who previously designed three of the quarters in the series, designed it, and Joseph Menna, who sculpted the ninth coin, sculpted it. The quarter is minted in Philadelphia, Denver, and San Francisco.
Pauli Murray, the first Black queer person featured on U.S. currency, was a trailblazing poet, activist, legal theorist, and Episcopal priest. Overcoming racial and gender barriers, Murray earned a J.D. from Howard Law School and became the first African American to receive a JSD from Yale Law School in 1965. A co-founder of the National Organization for Women, they also contributed to landmark civil rights cases, including Brown v. Board of Education, through their groundbreaking book The States’ Laws on Race and Color. In 1977, Murray made history as the first African American woman ordained as an Episcopal priest. Posthumously recognized with sainthood by the Episcopal Church and honored with a Yale residential college, Murray’s legacy of advocacy and scholarship endures.
#12: Patsy Takemoto Mink
The 12th coin in the series honors Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first woman of color and the first Asian-American woman to serve in Congress. The coin was released on March 25, 2024, and minted in Philadelphia and Denver. It was designed by Beth Zaiken and sculpted by John P. McGraw, who also designed and sculpted the Jovita Idar quarter.
Patsy Mink, the first Asian-American woman elected to Congress, was an innovator for gender and racial equality. After graduating from the University of Chicago Law School and overcoming barriers due to her interracial marriage, she opened her own practice and co-founded the Oahu Young Democrats. In 1964, she became the first Asian-American woman to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, where she promoted bilingual education and affordable childcare and co-authored Title IX. She also passed the Women’s Educational Equity Act in 1974 and became the first Asian-American to run for president when nominated by the Oregon Democrats. Reelected to Congress in 1990, she served six terms and founded the Congressional Asian-Pacific American Caucus. After she died in 2002, Title IX was renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act in her honor.
#13: Dr. Mary Edwards Walker
The 13th coin in the American Women Quarters Program honors Dr. Mary Edwards Walker. It was released on June 3, 2024, and was designed and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill. Dr. Walker is known for her service as a nurse, doctor, and surgeon during the Civil War.
Dr. Mary Walker, the first female Army surgeon, broke barriers in medicine and women’s rights. After graduating as the second woman ever from Syracuse Medical College, she volunteered with the Union Army in 1861, initially serving as a nurse due to gender bias. By 1863, she became a surgeon, treating soldiers on the front lines and civilians across battle lines. Captured by Confederates in 1864, she endured four months as a prisoner of war before resuming her service. She received the Medal of Honor for Meritorious Service for her dedication and is the only woman awarded this distinction. A staunch advocate for women’s rights, she refused traditional women’s attire, fought for suffrage, and published Hit: Essays on Women’s Rights in 1871, solidifying her legacy as one of the country’s most celebrated activists.
#14: Celia Cruz
Celia Cruz is the honoree of the 14th coin in the American Women Quarters Program. The coin was released on August 12, 2024, at the Philadelphia and Denver Mints. Like the previous quarter, it was also designed and sculpted by Phebe Hemphill.
Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa, revolutionized Latin music with her powerful voice and vibrant performances. Starting as a young talent on Cuban radio, she became the lead singer for La Sonora Matancera in 1950, gaining international fame as the band toured Latin America and recorded in New York. A trailblazer as one of the few women in salsa, Cruz recorded over 70 albums, won numerous awards, and became a global icon. Her honors include a Grammy for her 2002 salsa album, a Hollywood Walk of Fame star, a Smithsonian Lifetime Achievement Award, and a posthumous Congressional Gold Medal in 2005.
#15: Zitkála-Šá
The 15th coin in the series honors Zitkála-Šá, a Native American musician, writer, and women’s suffrage activist.
Zitkála-Šá, a trailblazing Native American writer, musician, and activist, preserved and championed Indigenous culture and rights. A classically trained violinist, she performed at the 1900 Paris Exposition and co-wrote the opera Sundance in 1913. Her literary contributions include Old Indian Legends, translating Sioux myths into English, and influential works like American Indian Stories, shedding light on Native experiences. A suffragist and reformer, she fought for Native voting rights, helping secure the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. In 1926, she co-founded the National Council of American Indians, advocating for Native rights and equality until her death in 1938.
The last five quarters of the series are to be released in 2025. The featured honorees have been announced, but the designs for each have not. When the series is complete, this article will be updated to list and describe the remaining quarters.
