Financial History Issue 118 (Summer 2016) | Page 24

Martha Washington on a $1 silver certificate, United States of America, 1886. WOMEN ON AMERICAN MONEY Although women have regularly appeared on money around the world, historic women have rarely been included on money issued by the US government. Since the federal government began issuing paper money in 1861, male historic figures have almost exclusively enjoyed this honor. Pocahontas and Martha Washington are the exceptions, with both appearing on US paper money for a relatively short period in the 19th century. Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea made similar appearances on the one dollar coin in the late 20th century, but their coins are not as widely used as the one dollar note depicting President George Washington. In 2015, a social movement called “Women on 20s” brought the limited appearance of women on American money to the attention of the public. This grassroots organization helped to initiate a national conversation about the role of women in American history and galvanized public support for the Treasury’s planned redesign of US banknotes. In April 2016, Secretary Lew announced that the new $5, $10 and $20 notes will feature eight historic American women. Abolitionist Harriett Tubman will be featured with a portrait on the $20 note; suffragists Lucretia Mott, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Alice Paul will appear marching together on the $10 note; and Marian Anderson and  Eleanor Roosevelt will be depicted on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial the $5 note. 22    FINANCIAL HISTORY  |  Summer 2016  | www.MoAF.org Sacagawea on the face of the $1 coin, United States of America, 2000.