Push for Female Face on $20 Bill

Lily Rajaee, Photojournalist

United States dollar bills are more than simply a source of currency; the dollar bills symbolize the great nationalism and American identity through the historic figures portrayed on the face of the paper. Currently, the dollar bills, ranging from one dollar to one hundred thousand dollars, are featuring George Washington,  Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, Alexander Hamilton, Andrew Jackson, Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Franklin, William McKinley, Grover Cleveland, James Madison, Salmon P. Chase, and Woodrow Wilson. It is true that all these individuals have played an important role in the formation of today’s American society. More specifically, all these individuals have something in common; they are all men.

Lawmakers and concerned citizens around the country are hoping to add diversity and equality into the system of United States currency by hoping to replace Andrew Jackson with a woman on the twenty dollar bill. Representative Gutierrez and Senator Jeanne Shaheen have recently introduced a bill the United States Treasury Department that officially suggests to select a famous American woman to serve as the new face of the twenty dollar bill. The group of involved individuals posted a nationwide poll on their website, asking users which woman they think is most qualified to represent the new twenty dollar face. After narrowing down the list from one hundred to four, citizens have chosen Eleanor Roosevelt, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, and Cherokee Nation Chief Wilma Mankiller as the leading candidates.

Today’s modern world is emphasizing on ending gender discrimination and creating an atmosphere of equality and justice for all human beings. By replacing Andrew Jackson with a woman who has greatly impacted American history, the world is taking a major step towards equal recognition of both men and women in their important roles in society. This year, AP U.S. History students have studied Andrew Jackson and recognize the reasons why people would chose to replace Andrew Jackson. Robert Sheffield (11) commented, “Although he was the one who introduced voting to the common man, making him a leader in political rights, that does not change the fact that he was a psychopathic murderer.”

Replacing Andrew Jackson with a female is a serious possibility in the near future and is certainly a big deal in both the advancement of political and human rights.