Sacagawea dollar coin model excited for new $20 bill
While she acted as the model for the Sacagawea dollar coin, Randy’L Teton claims to not see herself when she looks at it.
“I actually see Sacagawea,” Teton said.
After much talk of putting a woman on a U.S. dollar bill, the Treasury Department announced Wednesday that Harriet Tubman would be placed on the front of the $20 bill. Andrew Jackson will remain on the bill, but will be moved to the back.
Teton was excited for Sacagawea to have some company, but she was even more excited for the new face to be a woman of color.
“There certainly are a lot of women that are the backbone in every diverse community,” she said.
While talks of putting a woman on U.S. currency started with replacing Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill, several opted for Jackson’s removal, mainly because of his history as a slave owner and his persecution of Native Americans.
Many, like ISU women’s history professor Erika Kuhlman, were happy to see an anti-slavery and suffrage activist replace him.
Kuhlman, however, is hoping society will continue to bring more female representation to the forefront.
“We should feel happy that (Harriet Tubman) is going to be on the $20 bill, but we shouldn’t stop with that” Kuhlman said. “We want to remember that women have made great achievements within our society.”
Teton said the new bill could bring more awareness to Tubman, as the dollar coin once did for Sacagawea.
“The United States is a melting pot of diversity and we all need to be mindful of the history that we all brought forth in making the country what it is today,” Teton said.
Changes will also be made to the $10 and $5 bills. Alexander Hamilton and Abraham Lincoln will remain on the bills’ front, but the backs will change. The $10 bill will honor the suffrage movement while the $5 bill will honor the civil rights movement.
Designs are expected to be released at various times over the next decade.
Sacagawea coins are available at the Donzia Gift Shop inside of theShoshone-Bannock Hotel and Event Center
