Based on events I know of, 2021 is shaping up to be the “Year of the Woman.” I say that because more than a few “female firsts” have taken place this year. And, the year’s barely half over.
Just a few examples include the first female US Vice President. Janet Yellen is also the first woman to head the Treasury Department since its inception in 1789. Avril Haines became the first woman to serve as director of national intelligence. A young Black woman named Amana Gorman was recognized as the youngest inaugural poet.
This year, Sarah Thomas became the NFL's first female referee to officiate a Super Bowl. Taylor Swift is the first woman in Grammy’s history to snag “Album of the Year” three times. The contemporary female achievements go on, but what of those from the past? On our soon-to-be released pocket change, many women of note will become far better known....
Beginning next year, after the current “America The Beautiful” series of quarters ends – a series that showcased myriad notable locales throughout the US and territories – it will be replaced with the “American Women Quarters Program,” slated to be issued between 2022 and 2025.
The new quarters will celebrate women who have had an impact on America - beginning with Astronaut Sally Ride. In 1983, Ride soared into space aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger becoming the first US woman in space. Her mission was a wholesale success. Sadly, just three years later, in 1986, Challenger would explode on liftoff killing all aboard. Dr. Ride died of pancreatic cancer in 2012, but is credited with providing essential information that helped identify the cause of the 1986 disaster. The quarter shows Ride in her space flight suit in front of an image of the earth.
The second quarter will showcase Black poet Maya Angelou. Starting as a fry cook, she is especially recognized for her moving work, “I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings.” Angelou is equally known for her contributions in plays, movies, several autobiographies and books of poetry. Her quarter features an image of her with arms spread with a soaring bird in in the background.
The rest of the quarters in the series will be up to us – the public. The US Mint has opened the selections to anyone who wants to submit the name of someone they believe qualifies as an American Woman of note. The one requirement is that the person must no longer be alive. Those who believe they have good female candidates insofar as suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space or the arts should submit them to: US Mint, 801 9th Street NW, Washington, DC 20220, or by e-mail to: womenonquarters@usmint.treas.gov.
There’s one additional new change coming to that pocket change. The long-familiar portrait of George Washington on the quarter is also getting a makeover. For the new quarters, George will be facing right instead of left and will have a bit sleeker and younger appearance. It will surely offer an exciting new area of collecting for hobbyists.
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Summer camp is especially rife for stories around the campfire. In more urban environments, gatherings around a backyard firepit are equally effective. It wasn’t long ago that nary a child alive didn’t know of the scary tale of the stranded couple in a stalled car lost on a backroad at night while a madman with only a hook for a hand roamed the countryside looking for victims. It was a classic passed down over generations. (For those who missed out, just Google “The Hook Scary Story.”)
In homage to this age-old tradition, the Postal Service is about to issue a stamp honoring the storied lore of The Raven told for generations by the indigenous peoples of Alaska and the Northwest coastal region. The stamp features a stylized image of The Raven as it escapes its human family to set the sun, moon and stars free.
For those dropping a note to campers away this summer, the stamp will be released on July 30. For those campers, it could offer a good story idea or two.
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