John,

I have an exciting update on the American Women Quarters (AWQ) program — a program based on the legislation I helped introduce to honor the trailblazing women of American history.

The U.S. Mint announced its first shipments of AWQ coins, beginning with the Maya Angelou coin.

As a leader in the civil rights movement, poet laureate, college professor, Broadway actress, dancer, and the first female African American cable car conductor in San Francisco, Maya Angelou’s brilliance and artistry inspired generations of Americans.

I will forever cherish the private moments I had the privilege to share with Maya, from talking in her living room as sisters to her invaluable counsel throughout the challenges I faced as a Black woman in elected office.

If you find yourself holding a Maya Angelou quarter, may you be reminded of her words: “be certain that you do not die without having done something wonderful for humanity.”

The additional honorees in 2022 are Dr. Sally Ride , physicist and first woman astronaut; Wilma Mankiller , the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation and an activist for Native American and women’s rights; Nina Otero-Warren , a leader in New Mexico’s suffrage movement and the first female superintendent of Santa Fe public schools; and Anna May Wong , the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood, who achieved international success despite racism and discrimination.

I am proud to have led this effort to honor these phenomenal women, who more often than not are overlooked in our country’s telling of history. And I’m honored to be walking in their footsteps.

In solidarity,

Barbara Lee

DONATE NOW [[link removed]?]

---

Barbara Lee for Congress
333 HEGENBERGER ROAD
SUITE 369
OAKLAND, CA 94621
United States
unsubscribe: [link removed] Paid for by Barbara Lee for Congress