YouTube: Treasury Secretary Lew Announces the New Ten
The Department of Treasury will place a woman on the new $10 bill, Secretary Jack Lew announced on Wednesday. The bill currently features Alexander Hamilton, who was the first Treasury Secretary of the U.S. His image will remain on the $10 note in some form but the public will help choose a woman to appear as well. “America’s currency is a way for our nation to make a statement about who we are and what we stand for. Our paper bills—and the images of great American leaders and symbols they depict—have long been a way for us to honor our past and express our values,” Lew said in a press release. “We have only made changes to the faces on our currency a few times since bills were first put into circulation, and I’m proud that the new 10 will be the first bill in more than a century to feature the portrait of a woman.” The announcement came after a group called Women on 20s generated national attention to a campaign to put a woman on the $20 bill by 2020, the centennial of the 19th Amendment that recognized the voting rights of women.
Wilma Mankiller, 1945-2010, was the first woman elected to the position of principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. Photo from All Things Cherokee
“Even though our campaign targeted the $20 bill, we are pleased Secretary Lew will make this change on the first bank note to receive a makeover," Susan Ades Stone, the group's executive director, said in a press release. "It's a great first step.” Wilma Mankiller, the first woman to lead the Cherokee Nation, emerged as one of the top picks for the $20 bill as part of the group's campaign. She could still be considered for the $10 note. The new bill is expected to be in place by 2020. Get the Story:
A woman will appear on redesigned $10 bill in 2020. Who will it be? (The Washington Post 6/17)
Woman’s Portrait Will Appear on the $10 Bill (The New York Times 6/18) An Opinion:
Alexandra Petri: Save Alexander Hamilton. Dump Andrew Jackson. (The Washington Post 6/18)
Related Stories
Women on 20s campaign
announces winner of national vote (05/12) Winner of Women on 20s ballot to be announced on May 12 (5/8)
Opinion: Let's place a different Cherokee leader on the $20 bill (5/5)
Widower of Wilma Mankiller 'excited' about Woman on 20s effort (04/20)
Bill introduced in Senate to support placing woman on $20 bill (4/15)
Wilma Mankiller generates interest for Women on 20s campaign (4/8)
Wilma Mankiller added to final ballot to place woman on $20 bill (4/7)
Another suggestion for Indian woman on $20 bill -- Sakakawea (3/25)
Column: Replace an Indian killer on $20 bill with Wilma Mankiller (3/18
Join the Conversation
