As I noted in last week’s article, changes on United States money can result in mixed reactions among the public and the numismatic community. Most recently, there has been much discussion and press regarding the upcoming change in the ten-dollar bill and the plan to replace the portrait of Alexander Hamilton with that of an important woman from American history. I have been asked my opinion regarding which woman should be so honored, and have come up with the following possibilities:
Martha Washington: Our first First Lady has been featured on American currency before, but she still rates number one in my book.
Pocahontas: She has been portrayed on National Bank notes before, in a somewhat allegorical sense.
Sacagawea: While an important woman in our nation’s history, she is already featured on United States dollar coins.
Susan B. Anthony: Likewise important as an advocate for social reform and women’s suffrage, but also already portrayed on United States dollar coins.
Clara Barton: Started the American Red Cross.
Eleanor Roosevelt: Wife of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and longest-serving First Lady. She was an activist for social reform in many areas, including for racial equality.
Carrie Nation: Important figure in the temperance movement in early 20th century America.
Sandra Day O’Connor: First woman Justice of the Supreme Court.
There are many other outstanding woman of course, who could be considered in such fields as politics, science, literature, and entertainment. This short list includes just my top picks.
The important role of women in American history has often been minimized and the introduction of a woman on our currency is certainly deserved. In the past we have honored outstanding presidents and government officials who were male, as from our colonial days nearly to the present, men have had the high-profile positions and received the majority of coverage in the history books. It is time we took this opportunity to have the portrait of a woman in this place of honor on our currency.
