Democratic Rep. Luis V. Gutiérrez of Illinois has introduced a law to put a woman on the $20 bill. The law is being called, “Put a Woman on the Twenty Act.”
“As women fill more and more positions of leadership in United States and in U.S. economy, there remains one place they are not represented: on United States currency. This legislation will change that,” says the congressman’s office in a press release.
“Not since the 19th century, when Martha Washington’s portrait was briefly featured on the $1 silver certificate, has there been a woman on U.S. paper currency. And yet throughout our history, countless women have accepted the call to serve as the heads of cabinet departments, in the halls of Congress, as Presidents and CEOs of industry, and as activists and public leaders fighting for justice and rights and protections under the law. Women make up over 50 percent of our population and at least 50 percent of our patriots, leaders, and role-models as a nation.”
The congressman says in a statement, “Recognizing and celebrating the significant contributions of women throughout American history on U.S. paper currency makes a powerful statement to my daughters and to young women across this country and to people across the globe who look to America as an example of inclusion and equal rights…
“As the most used currency in international transactions, billions will see our values and freedoms in the course of daily financial transactions in every corner of the world.”
