Usually, money in the news tells a story of someone receiving a raise or making a sizable deal.
The United States Treasury broke that trend by announcing April 20 that abolitionist leader Harriet Tubman will appear on the on the front of the $20 bill.
The decision, which U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew stated, marks the first time an African American will appear on a paper bill, and the first time in more than a century that it will display a woman.
In associate news editor Marissa Russo’s story, “Treasury Chooses Tubman,” some of Tubman’s most courageous acts include serving as a conductor of the Underground Railroad in the 1800s and freeing hundreds of slaves in the process. Choosing to put Tubman on the $20 bill only enhances the progressive movement our society has seen and continues to build upon, and this change should provoke more positivity.
There have been mixed reactions to the U.S. Treasury’s decision with many supporting, others against and some finding it unnecessary. We believe Tubman appearing on the $20 bill acknowledges the inspiring life she led.
It’s important to remember: U.S. currency allows us to do more than just make purchases. Our currency tells the history of our nation, and Tubman certainly made her mark.
