New $20 Bill in the Works with Harriet Tubman
It's time we celebrate the true diversity and history of our nation by honoring a woman who made a positive impact that has affected generations.
According to a report from CBS News, the Treasury Department is once again aiming to update $20 bills with the face of abolitionist Harriet Tubman. While Tubman would be the face of the bill, the reverse side would still feature the White House along with Andrew Jackson.
The plan was originally announced in 2016 by Secretary Jacob J. Lew. Unfortunately, under the Trump administration the plan was "delayed indefinitely." Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin claimed that a change to the $20 bill would cause counterfeit money issues, and that the block was a "non-political situation."
Secretary Lew originally proposed a change to the $10 bill, and suggested that the bill feature a woman. That proposal sparked ideas from around the nation, and thousands submitted their ideas on what woman, or women, should grace the front. After reviewing the submissions, Secretary Lew wrote a letter to the American people stating,
"The decision to put Harriet Tubman on the new $20 was driven by thousands of responses we received from Americans young and old. I have been particularly struck by the many comments and reactions from children for whom Harriet Tubman is not just a historical figure, but a role model for leadership and participation in our democracy. You shared your thoughts about her life and her works and how they changed our nation and represented our most cherished values. Looking back on her life, Tubman once said, “I would fight for liberty so long as my strength lasted.” And she did fight, for the freedom of slaves and for the right of women to vote. Her incredible story of courage and commitment to equality embodies the ideals of democracy that our nation celebrates, and we will continue to value her legacy by honoring her on our currency. "
True to Americans' wishes, the current administration is planning on moving forward with the historic change. Security features will be implemented in the bill to prevent counterfeits, and a new printing machine is said to be needed to meet production.
I'm excited to see women represented in our history, because just like men, we were there for the good, the bad, and the ugly.
50 Famous Brands That No Longer Exist