The new quarter design featuring Ida B. Wells, the suffragist, journalist and civil rights activist The U.S. MintThe U.S. Mint has announced the five trailblazing American women who will be depicted on quarters released in 2025: Ida B. Wells, a journalist and civil rights activist; Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts of the USA; Vera Rubin, a pioneering astronomer; Stacey Park Milbern, a disability activist; and Althea Gibson, a legendary golfer and tennis player.The new coins are part of the American Women Quarters Program, which began in 2022. The initiative was created to circulate 25-cent coins demonstrating what can be possible with determination, perseverance and the indomitable spirit of American women, per the programs website.This program has recognized the remarkable legacies of these extraordinary she-roes, says Ventris C. Gibson, the Mints director, in astatement. These beautiful American Women quarters will be in circulation for decades to come and continue to educate the American people on our incredible honorees. This coin celebratesAlthea Gibson, the first Black tennis player to win a Grand Slam event The U.S. MintTo select its honorees, the Mint asked for nominations from the public. The Secretary of the Treasury then narrowed down the list in collaboration with the Smithsonians American Womens History Initiative, the National Womens History Museum and the Congressional Bipartisan Womens Caucus.We started with quarters in 2022, and weve been doing five women a year, Kristie McNally, the Mints deputy director, tells WJLA-TVs Good Morning Washington. This is our last year. This is the last five women that were highlighting, so were super excited.The five portraits will appear on the reverse side of the coins. Each design will reflect the accomplishments of the women it honors.Low is depicted beside the Girl Scouts trefoil logo, which she created and patented. Rubin, set against a backdrop of celestial objects, gazes to the sky. Wells stands beside the words journalist, suffragist, civil rights activist. Milbern is shown speaking from her wheelchair beside the words disability justice, while Gibson stands behind a net holding a tennis racket. Laura Gardin Fraser created this likeness of George Washington in the early 20th century. The U.S. MintThe front of the quarters will still display George Washington, but not the design created by John Flanagan thats typically used, which first appeared in 1932. Instead, they will feature sculptor Laura Gardin Frasers design, which was passed over in favor of Flanagans. While Frasers depiction of Washington is similar to Flanagans, it shows the president facing the opposite direction.There are now 20 women who have been honored by the American Women Quarters Program.Elizabeth C. Babcock, the director of the Smithsonian American Womens History Museum, tellsArtnets Sarah Cascone that the group includes artists, scientists, astronauts, Indigenous leaders, composers, dancers and activists.When you look at how we tell American history now, what kids grow up learning in school and in their textbooks, there are these gaps there. Women are just not represented, Babcock says. But were 51 percent of the population, and we were there during all those historic moments that shaped American history.Get the latest stories in your inbox every weekday.Filed Under: Activism, American History, Art, Arts, Astronomers, Astronomy, Civil Rights, Disability, Disability History, History, Sports, Women in Science, Women's History