Maya Angelou is an iconic American author and poet, known for her work and contributions to civil rights, equality and justice. While she is best remembered for her works, Maya Angelou was much more than an author. She was an activist and educator, inspiring generations of people and making a lasting impact on our world. The question of whether or not Maya Angelou is on the quarter has been a hot topic of conversation over the past year or so, with many people expressing support or opposition.
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1. The Challenges of the Process
2. Controversial Figures
3. Cultural Significance
4. The Uniting Power of Money
5. The Impact of Social Media
6. The Power of Change
The quarter is a term used to describe a twenty-five cent coin in the United States. It features the heads of four US presidents; George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln. The process to get a face on the quarter is one in which individuals, organizations, or ideas can be submitted to the US Treasury, who then makes the final decision.
In 2020, the movement to get Maya Angelou featured on the quarter took off. As part of an online voting competition sponsored by the Treasury Department, any individuals, organizations, or ideas were eligible for consideration to be added to the quarter. The Maya Angelou Forever campaign went viral, rapidly gaining in popularity as support for placing her face on the quarter grew.
The campaign made its way to the ballot box and with the support of millions of people, she came in first place. Supporters of the campaign argued that placing Maya Angelou on the quarter would be a testament to her lasting legacy and a reminder of her immense impact in the civil rights and equality movement.
Ultimately, though, the US Treasury chose a different design. While supporters and activists expressed disappointment, they also showed an immense amount of respect and gratitude to Maya Angelou and all the incredible work she had done.
The decision to not have Maya Angelou featured on the quarter illustrates just how difficult the process of getting a face on the quarter can be. This process involves considerable scrutiny, often in the form of a competition or public vote.
The Challenges of the Process
The process of getting a face on the quarter is a complex one. As illustrated by the fate of the Maya Angelou Forever campaign, it’s typically not an easy task. Before a face is officially added to the quarter, the individual or idea must receive approval from the US Treasury. They must also get approval from the Commission of Fine Arts and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee.
Each group looks for different elements when selecting a design for the quarter. The US Treasury focuses on national significance– how important the individual or idea is to the country as a whole – while the Commission of Fine Arts considers the aesthetic. In contrast, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee specializes in commemorative coins, and takes into account the historical accuracy of the design.
In addition to these considerations, the design has to fit the physical specifications of the quarter. Things like the size and weight of the coin must comply with the laws and regulations governed by the US Treasury. This means that many designs are unable to make it to the ballot box as they won’t meet the specifications set in place.
Controversial Figures
In addition to the difficulty of the process, there are also many reasons why an individual or organization may not make it to the ballot box. Most notably, the US Treasury can prevent controversial figures from being featured on the quarter.
Throughout history, there have been many examples of controversial figures who have not been able to make it past the initial selection process. Robert E. Lee, a Confederate Commander, is one example. He was proposed in 2005, but was ultimately not approved by the US Treasury, who deemed the design inappropriate in today’s political climate.
Since its inception, the quarter has featured only four presidents. This is largely attributed to the fact that selecting an individual to be featured on the quarter involves an extensive vetting process and can be extremely controversial. This vetting process means that in some cases, even an individual as influential and important as Maya Angelou can be excluded from the ballot box.
Cultural Significance
Despite the fact that Maya Angelou was not featured on the quarter, the campaign to make her face the first woman on the coin held immense cultural significance. The US Treasury may not have approved her design, but the support and messages of gratitude for her advocacy, activism and writing serves as a reminder of just how much she was admired and respected.
Her lasting impact on individuals, organizations and our nation as a whole is undeniable. While she may not be featured on the quarter, her work will live on in the hearts, minds and actions of those who have been inspired by her life and words.
The Uniting Power of Money
The quarter is often seen as a symbol of national unity. It is one of the most widely used coins in the United States, and has remained largely unchanged throughout its history. By uniting people under the same currency, it has become a powerful symbol of the union of all 50 states.
In today’s political climate, this symbol of unity is more important than ever. Despite the fact that Maya Angelou did not make it onto the quarter, her legacy and her impact on this country will continue to be commemorated through her writing and through the activism and advocacy of those who were inspired by her.
The Impact of Social Media
The Maya Angelou Forever campaign was made possible by the power of social media. It was an organic movement, powered by people who shared their support and showed their admiration for Maya Angelou. This movement was a testament to the power of social media and the influence it can have on our nation and its culture.
The support shown to the campaign by millions of people around the world demonstrated that Maya Angelou is still very much present in today’s society. Despite the fact that she wasn’t selected to be on the quarter, her legacy and the impact she had on our world will continue to live on.
The Power of Change
The ultimately unsuccessful campaign to place Maya Angelou on the quarter demonstrates the power of change and the ability of a single person to effect change on a much larger scale. Seeing her name move through the ballot box and millions of people showing their support was a powerful reminder of the progress that can be made when we come together.
The decision to not have Maya Angelou featured on the quarter highlights the difficulty of the process and the consideration that needs to be taken when attempting to make a change. Despite these challenges, the movement to put Maya Angelou on the quarter was an incredible demonstration of the impact she had on our world and the impact she will continue to have in the years to come.
