RACHEL MARTIN, HOST:
Good morning, I'm Rachel Martin. This week, the U.S. Mint began circulating quarters featuring an image of poet and activist Maya Angelou. It's the first coin issued in a series celebrating the achievements of American women. Angelou appears with arms outstretched and a bird in flight behind her. Maya Angelou was the first Black woman to write and perform a poem at a presidential inauguration. She is now the first Black woman to be featured on a quarter. A phenomenal woman; a phenomenal life. It's MORNING EDITION. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.