Would you like to see Annie Oakley featured on the “tail” side of a quarter? The United States Mint is seeking nominations of women to be featured on a traditional George Washington faced quarter.
The public is invited to submit recommendations for women to be honored at the website established by the National Women’s History Museum: https://forms.gle/3BgR3BLbFfJ69XdYA. The Annie Oakley Center Foundation encourages your nomination of Annie to be featured. Annie Oakley (1860-1926) excelled in the sports/entertainment category.
Annie was the first female superstar athlete as her record in shooting sports attests. She travelled with her husband Frank Butler in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show for 17 years, performing for and meeting with kings and queens around the world. She later taught over 15,000 women to shoot. Her strength of perseverance and moral character enabled her to rise out of poverty using her native skill and talents. “Aim at a high mark and you’ll hit it, no not the first time and maybe not the second time, but keep on aiming and keep on shooting for only practice will make you a success.” Annie Oakley’s quote applies to everyone.
Annie championed for equal pay for women working in the same fields as men. Annie Oakley’s fame has not faded. Of course, there is the Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun along with numerous books and newspaper articles about her life. While fictionalized in the musical, this legendary woman’s impact continues. Melting down most of her medals, Annie sold the metal and gave the proceeds to charity. An Annie Oakley quarter would be a “metal” that would award an honor and preserve her memory.
The Mint will issue circulating and numismatic quarter-dollar coins with reverse (tails) designs emblematic of the accomplishments and contributions of a prominent American woman beginning in January 2022. Contributions may come from a wide spectrum fields, and all of the women honored must be deceased. The Mint will annually issue up to five different reverse designs over the four-year period beginning in 2022 and continuing through 2025. The first two women to be honored on coins under the American Women Quarters Program have been announced and are famed writer Maya Angelou and trailblazing astronaut Dr. Sally Ride.
For more information, please go to annieoakleycenterfoundation.com or usmint.gov.