Announcement of a Woman on the Redesigned Ten-Dollar Bill

On June 19, 2015, the United States Treasury made a significant announcement that marked a historic change in the design of U.S. paper currency. The Treasury declared that a woman would be featured on the redesigned ten-dollar bill, a decision that would make her the first woman to appear on U.S. paper currency in over a century.

Context and Background

The decision to feature a woman on the ten-dollar bill was part of a broader initiative to celebrate the contributions of women to American history. This announcement came at a time when there was growing public discourse about the representation of women in various aspects of society, including on national currency. The last woman to be featured on U.S. paper currency was Martha Washington, who appeared on the one-dollar silver certificate in the late 19th century.

Key Details

• Treasury Secretary: The announcement was made by then-Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew.
• Public Involvement: The Treasury Department sought public input on which woman should be featured on the bill, encouraging citizens to participate in the decision-making process.
• Criteria: The woman chosen would be someone who was a champion for democracy and had made significant contributions to the United States.

Broader Historical Significance

The decision to include a woman on the ten-dollar bill was part of a larger movement to recognize and honor the achievements of women in American history. It reflected a shift towards greater inclusivity and representation in national symbols. This move was also seen as an opportunity to educate the public about the historical impact of women who have shaped the nation.

Aftermath

Following the announcement, there was considerable public interest and debate over which historical figure should be chosen. The Treasury Department received numerous suggestions and engaged in discussions with historians and the public to determine the most suitable candidate. Ultimately, Harriet Tubman was selected to replace Andrew Jackson on the twenty-dollar bill, while the redesign of the ten-dollar bill continued to evolve with plans to feature women in a broader context.

The announcement on June 19, 2015, was a pivotal moment in U.S. history, highlighting the importance of representation and the ongoing efforts to acknowledge the diverse contributions of women to the nation’s heritage.