A Brief History
In June of 2015, the Treasury Department announced that Alexander Hamilton, first Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, who has graced the $10 U.S. bill since 1929 will be replaced by the image of a woman in the year 2020. No decision has yet been made about who will be selected, although the Treasury stated that it would probably be someone who represents for “our inclusive democracy.”
Digging Deeper
A little known fact is that women have already appeared on U.S. paper bills, in fact twice – namely inaugural First Lady Martha Washington and Native American princess Pocahontas.
U.S. money has also included fictional characters such as “Lady Liberty” and the anonymous “Indian” on the penny and the nickel, but the woman who will appear on the new $10 bill will likely real person. Sorry Rosie the Riveter (my nominee), Betty Crocker and Aunt Jemima…
Here we list some of the front runners. Please let us know whose image you would like to see, or whether or not multiple women should be depicted, sort of like how each state has been depicted on the back of the quarter.
10. Helen Keller.
Helen Keller is a profile in courage and determination who overcame being deaf and blind, but she is an unlikely candidate because politically she had communist tendencies. Still, she is a remarkable person and a symbol of resilience to all Americans.
9. Wilma Mankiller.
With such a name, militant females just might carry her to “victory,” although men might shy away from this Native American Chief of the Cherokee Nation, the first woman to hold this position.
8. Hillary Clinton.
Right now this may seem like a frivolous nomination, but by 2020 she may have already been the first female U.S. President. At any rate, the first woman to head the nation will likely be depicted on currency or on other federal representations once she dies (unlike many monarchies, the U.S. does not allow living people on its money).
7. Rosie the Riveter.
Alas, this muscle-flexing icon of World War II has no chance of winning the contest, but she is my nomination anyway. During the Second World War, female workers stepped into traditional male jobs and worked in factories, producing weapons, food and equipment at an incredible pace. Today, while we debate “equal pay for equal work,” the working women of America could use a champion who stands for the hard work they do and the sacrifices they make, and men could use a reminder of how important women are to the work force.
6. Susan B. Anthony.
Already remembered on the $1 coin (1979), Anthony is certainly a worthy nominee. A pioneer for women’s suffrage, she was also an advocate for the abolition of slavery and temperance.
5. Clara Barton.
Founder of the American Red Cross Clara Barton’s organization has accompanied people through all sorts of natural and man-made disasters and keeps the national medical need for blood met by hosting blood drives.
4. Rosa Parks.
This Civil Rights activist is frequently at or near the top of opinion polls. Dying as recently as 2005, she is one of the “younger” nominees. Unfortunately, she did not live to see Barack Obama elected as the first black U.S. President.
3. Harriet Tubman.
Famous for her efforts to liberate slaves by helping them get to Canada via the “Underground Railroad,” Harriet Tubman is a fan favorite who, with 600,000 votes, led the pack in an informal poll of the Women on 20 Campaign in which Americans were asked who they would like to see on the $20 bill.
2. Sacagawea.
Like Susan B. Anthony, this Native American guide for the Lewis and Clark Expedition has already appeared on the $1 coin. A wonderful model of the strong and confident American woman, she truly is an inspiration. Lewis and Clark once graced the $10 bill, so there is a precedent for choosing Sacagawea.
1. Eleanor Roosevelt.
First lady longer than any other woman, even after her husband’s death, she was called the “First Lady to the World” by President Truman. An advocate for human rights and civil rights, in particular African-American causes, she served as Chairman of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. Respected worldwide as well as back home in the U.S., she remains one of the most admired Americans in history.
Question for students (and subscribers) to ponder: Did you know that Eleanor Roosevelt’s actual first name is Anna?
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please read:
Harness, Cheryl. Remember the Ladies: 100 Great American Women. HarperCollins, 2003.
