Celia Cruz Makes History on U.S. Currency: Afro-Latina Icon Honored

Photo byEm.press

Renowned for her contributions to music and her role as a Cuban cultural icon, Celia Cruz, often hailed as the Queen of Salsa, has made history by being featured on U.S. currency. This groundbreaking moment occurred as she became the first Afro-Latina to be included in the American Women Quarters Program. The U.S. Mint, in its endeavor to recognize and celebrate the significant accomplishments and contributions of American women, carefully curated a roster of five accomplished women for the coinage set to launch in 2024.

The other notable women selected for the acknowledgment were Patsy Takemoto Mink, distinguished as the first woman of color to hold a seat in Congress; Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, renowned as a surgeon during the Civil War era, a champion for women's rights, and a staunch abolitionist; Pauli Murray, a multifaceted individual excelling in poetry, writing, activism, law, and service as an Episcopal priest, recognized particularly for her unwavering support for civil rights; and Zitkala-Ša, or Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, a prominent figure known for her contributions as a writer, songwriter, educator, and political advocate dedicated to advancing the rights of Native Americans.