Earlier this year, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced a bill that added currency to an online campaign (sorry) to replace Andrew Jackson's portrait on the $20 with that of a woman. Finally, the Treasury Department has agreed to allow a female face on U.S. paper currency for the first time -- but, naturally, it's going on a bill with literally half the value than the one Shaheen and her colleagues have been pushing for. So it goes, as per usual.
The Treasury Department announced on Wednesday that a woman will be featured on the $10-bill beginning in 2020, to honor the centennial of the 19th Amendment giving women the right to vote. It's unclear which of America's long-neglected female influencers will appear on the bill, which now features a portrait of Alexander Hamilton, but we do know a few things: In accordance with the law, the woman will have to be someone who is already dead; she'll be chosen by Treasury Sec. Jacob Lew; and she'll also have to look good next to Hamilton, because he's not actually going anywhere.
"While the design process is complex and much work remains to be done, Secretary Lew has made clear that the image of Alexander Hamilton will remain part of the $10 note," the Treasury Department said in a press release.
Not many people seem surprised. While social media burst out in its own special applause for the Treasury's decision, many shared their concerns -- as well as their suggestions for which badass American woman should grace the $10. Here's what people had to say about #TheNewTen:
Women asked for the $20..will get the $10. Even on our currency women make half as much as a man. #TheNew10
— Can Deal (@kendoll4) June 18, 2015
I'm all for having a woman on our U.S. Currency but wish we were replacing The murderer on the $20 #TheNew10
— kyle pearce (@photokp) June 18, 2015
Given our history, putting a white woman on currency first is an awful idea. Choose a woman of color. Do this right.
#TheNew10
— Charles Clymer (@cmclymer) June 18, 2015
Let’s put a woman on the $0.78.
— Irin Carmon (@irin) June 18, 2015
Can’t find who said it to me first, but it’s true: Women get to be on paper money just as it’s less important than ever.
— Irin Carmon (@irin) June 18, 2015
"We are going to put a woman on the new $10 bill!"
- US Treasury Dept
"We are going to draw dicks on the new $10 bill!"
- 14 year old boys
— Erin Gloria Ryan (@morninggloria) June 18, 2015
Sojourner Truth! Elizabeth Cady Stanton! Dolores Huerta! @GloriaSteinem! So many great possibilities for #TheNew10
— Cecile Richards (@CecileRichards) June 18, 2015
There will be a woman on the $10. While it might not be the $20--make no mistake--this is historic& big step forward #TheNew10
— Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (@SenatorShaheen) June 18, 2015
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