As the US Mint continues its American Women Quarters Program, one of the new faces to enter circulation has South Dakota roots.
Zitkala-Ša, a Yankton Sioux political activist, writer and musician, is one of five historic women to be immortalized in coinage. Previously, women like Maya Angelou and Eleanor Roosevelt have been part of this program.
The likeness of Zitkala-Ša, who wrote the first American Indian opera in 1913, will be minted on 600 million quarters for 10 weeks in 2024 before being discontinued.
Joining her in this year’s set, which is designed to highlight women who may not be in history books, are Pauli Murray, Patsy Mink, Mary Edwards Walker, and Celia Cruz.