Groundbreaking Hawaii congresswoman recognized on the quarter.
The United States Mint began shipping the second coin in the 2024 American Women Quarters (AWQ) Program on March 25. The Mint facilities at Philadelphia and Denver are manufacturing these circulating quarters celebrating the late Rep. Patsy Takemoto Mink (D-Hawaii).
Mink was the first woman of color elected to Congress. She was one of the authors and sponsors of the Title IX law that stated that “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Title IX was renamed the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act following her death.
“The second coin of the 2024 American Women Quarters Program celebrates the incredible life and legacy of the Honorable Patsy Takemoto Mink,” said Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson. “As the first Asian American woman to serve in Congress, she fought bravely for gender and racial equality, affordable childcare, bilingual education, environmental protection, and, most notably, Title IX.”
Mint Artistic Infusion Program Artist Beth Zaiken designed the image, and Mint Medallic Artist John P. McGraw sculpted the image.
“Patsy Takemoto Mink was an amazing Congresswoman and a true pioneer who worked tirelessly to champion women’s rights,” said McGraw. “Title IX, her groundbreaking legislation, gave all women equal footing in the workplace and sports.”
The coin’s reverse (tails) depicts Patsy Takemoto Mink holding her landmark “TITLE IX” legislation. In the background, a view of the U.S. Capitol Building prominently features the south wing, home to the U.S. House of Representatives, where Mink served in Congress. The lei she wears represents her home state of Hawaii.
The obverse (heads) depicts a portrait of George Washington originally composed and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser to mark George Washington’s 200th birthday. Though
her work was a recommended design for the 1932 quarter, then-Treasury Secretary Mellon ultimately selected the familiar John Flanagan design.
Regarding Fraser, Director Gib-son said, “I am proud that the obverse design of George Washington is by one of the most prolific women sculptors of the early 20th century. Laura Gardin Fraser’s work is lauded in both numismatic and artistic circles. Ninety years after she intended for it to do so, her obverse design has fit-tingly taken its place on the quarter.”
Obverse inscriptions are “LIBERTY,” “IN GOD WE TRUST,” and “2024.” The design is common to all quarters issued in the series.
Each 2024 AWQ honoree is a powerful, inspiring example of the breadth, depth, and range of accomplishments, and the experiences demonstrated by these extraordinary women speak to the contributions women have always made in the history of our country. Coins featuring additional honorees will continue to ship through 2025.
Authorized by Public Law 116-330, the American Women Quarters Program features coins with reverse designs emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of American women. Beginning in 2022 and continuing through 2025, the Mint is issuing five quarters in each of these years.
Other women honored in 2024 include Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, poet, writer, activist, lawyer, and Episcopal priest; Dr.Mary Edwards Walker, Civil War era surgeon; Celia Cruz, Cuban American singer and cultural icon; and Zitkala-Ša – writer, composer, educator, and political activist.
*This article was originally published in The Rafu Shimpo on April 3, 2024.
© 2024 The Rafu Shimpo
