The Maya Angelou quarter is the first in the American Women Quarters Program. This is a four-year program that features prominent women in U.S. history.
Angelou is posed on the quarter with her arms outstretched and a bird flying behind her. She was the first Black woman to write and perform her poem at the 1992 presidential inauguration of Bill Clinton. The poem she read was titled, “On the Pulse of Morning.”
The writer became famous in 1969, with her book, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” Angelou went on to pen over 30 more titles.
She was inducted into the Wake University Hall of Fame for Writers. Throughout her lifetime, her career included dance, journalism, social activism, and theater.
At the request of Dr. Martin Luther King, the author was the northern coordinator of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. She has also received over 30 honorary degrees including one from the University of Northern Texas.
In 2010, President Barack Obama presented the activist with the Medal of Freedom.
At the age of 86, Angelou died in 2014. All banks in the United States were delivered the coin from the mint this week. There will be 20 quarters honoring women in history over the next four years.
Written by Jeanette Vietti
Sources:
PBS: The poet Maya Angelou is the first Black woman to be featured on a U.S. quarter
NPR: Poet Maya Angelou is the first Black woman to be featured on a U.S. quarter
WPAP: Late Poet and Civil Rights Activist Maya Angelou Becomes First Black Woman on U.S. Quarter
Featured Image Courtesy of Brecht Bug’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Inline Image Courtesy of Neil R’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
