PORTRAIT OF HARRIET TUBMAN TO GRACE NEW $20 BILL
Harriet Tubman, a former slave, and abolitionist who, as a “conductor” on the Underground Railroad helped hundreds of African-Americans escape slavery, will replace former U.S. President Andrew Jackson on the face of the $20 bill. The makeover was announced by U.S. Treasury Secretary, Jacob J. Lew. A smaller image of Jackson will appear on the reverse side of the bill along with White House.
Tubman, who also served as an armed scout and spy for the Union Army during the Civil War, will be the first woman to grace U.S. paper currency since Martha Washington’s portrait briefly appeared on the $1 silver certificate in the late 19th century. A U. S dollar coin minted from 1979 to 1981 and again in 1999, featured Suffragist Susan B. Anthony’s image. Minting of the coin ceased in 2000.
Secretary Lew also announced plans to revise the $10 and $5 bill. While, Alexander Hamilton will remain on the front of the $10 bill, the other side will feature an image of the historic march for suffrage that ended on the steps of the Treasury Department and honor the leaders of the suffrage movement – Lucretia Mott, Sojourner Truth, Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and Alice Paul. The back of the new $5 bill will honor events at the Lincoln Memorial that helped to shape our history and our democracy and prominent individuals involved in those occasions, including Marian Anderson, Eleanor Roosevelt and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In a letter to the American people, Secretary Lew wrote that, with the changes he outlined, “our currency will now tell more of our story and reflect the contributions of women as well as men to our great democracy.”
The Susan B. Anthony dollar was a United States dollar coin minted from 1979 to 1981, when the series was halted due to poor public reception, and again in 1999.
OTHER NEWS
FEBRUARY IS AMERICAN HEART MONTH
This year, as our hearts fill with pride while we celebrate Black History Month, let us also remember to focus on our heart health. And not just on Valentines Day – the entire month of February is American Heart Month.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States and certain minority groups face a greater risk than others. Deaths from heart disease are higher in Black Americans than in White Americans and other ethnic groups, and heart disease develops at a younger age in African Americans.
But, heart disease can often be prevented when people know their risks, make healthy choices and manage their medical conditions. So this month, learn the signs and symptoms and the steps you can take to make a difference in your life and the lives of your loved ones at https://www.goredforwomen.org
January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month
According to The American Cancer Society, “Cervical cancer was once one of the most common causes of cancer death for American women. The cervical cancer death rate dropped significantly with the increased use of the Pap test for screening. But the death rate has not changed much over the last 15 years.” And several studies show that a disproportionate number of women that die each year from cervical cancer are Black women.
The American Cancer Society also stresses the importance of regular screening for the disease, emphasizing that, “Screening tests offer the best chance to have cervical cancer found early when successful treatment is likely.
I AM THE CHANGE FORUMS
The Black Women’s Agenda, Inc. is taking its “Living Your Best Life At Every Age: I Am The Change” town hall on the road! Introduced with support from AARP at its 41st Annual Symposium in September 2018, the forum encourages participants to consider where they are and want to be from a financial, educational and health perspective, and to be a catalyst for change for themselves, their families, and communities.
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