The Tubman Twenty: the millennial woman’s next feminist movement. For those who have not heard of their advocacy, the organization, Women on 20’s, has been working for a few years to encourage legislation that will allow the famous runaway slave, Harriet Tubman, to be featured on the twenty-dollar bill. Removing Jackson and instituting an instrumental woman of America’s past allows symbols of inequality and intolerance to be replaced with symbols of freedom and courage. The Tubman Twenty functions as a new declaration of representation for all women on a tangible item that is used by every American, but why paper currency, why Tubman, why the twenty-dollar bill, and most importantly, why now?
A Tubman Twenty would be the first step in establishing a female presence on American paper currency. Currency and its figures reaffirm what beliefs we as Americans, no matter what generation— regard most dear. The twenty functions as a means of currency, but also as representation for our country. Paper currency itself facilitates interaction between citizens in financial exchange, but the historical figures represented on our currency provide us with the civic duty to follow in their footsteps while maintaining their principles of liberty in hopes that we spur new intellectual thought in the process. Paper currency is used by all American citizens as well as tourists, and the symbols on our currency perform as a representation of our country and what ideals we believe in.
Considered “Moses” of her time, escaped slave, Harriet Tubman, became one of the America’s principal abolitionists prior to the Civil War. She returned to the South approximately thirteen times to rescue those in bondage as the “conductor” of what is now known as the Underground Railroad: an elaborate secret network of safe houses leading to North. Her achievements were attributed to unprecedented courage and determination. Tubman deserves to be honored alongside other heroic Americans on our paper currency, serving as a role model for adolescents throughout the nation. Taking a slave owner off the twenty and replacing him with a slave, insert strong verb a way for the American government to recognize its fault and attempt rectify a historical travesty.
Paper currency is not just a way to pay for things, but a potential platform for gender equality. However, money is utilized daily by all Americans regardless of their gender. The people displayed on American currency are figures within our society that have been admired throughout American history. In addition, the twenty is in need of renovation for it is the most readily counterfeited bill in our currency, in fact, more than 40% of all bills that are counterfeited are twenty dollar bills. Although American currency has not been altered since 1929, changing the portraits on our currency is a somewhat easy process for it only requires a directive from the Secretary of the Treasury. Therefore, if the treasury is going to alter the twenty-dollar bill in order to decrease counterfeit rates, the treasury might as well add Harriet Tubman to the new edition. Although there are no women on American paper currency, there are two women present on two dollar coins: Susan B. Anthony and Sacagawea. Yet, only 8.68 million of these coins were minted last year in comparison to 35.14 million presidential dollar coins. These lady dollar coins can be found in train stations nationwide, however, they are absent from most citizens’ wallets.
With the centennial of women’s suffrage around the corner, elevating a woman to a place that is today reserved exclusively for the men, would immeasurably commemorate this milestone. Tubman’s portrait symbolizes greater changes to come. For too long women have been hidden in the background behind their male counterparts, however, it is time for Americans to see the value of a woman’s contributions to our society by having a woman present on our paper currency. This reform can be viewed as a stepping stone for more initiatives to occur regarding the lack of gender equality within the United States.
On her nationally recognized show, Ellen DeGeneres argued that putting a woman on American paper money is worthwhile and long overdue. Ellen herself works to encourage and inspire those everywhere in the most unlikely of places. Ellen explained, “it’s important for young women to have a constant reminder that there are amazing female role models and that they can do anything. Anything at all.” There’s no better way to mobilize women of all ages than a new movement to get behind, one that needs some support and advocates all over the country, from Hollywood to Washington.
Today, women make seventy-nine cents to every dollar their male counterparts make. American women need to mobilize behind a common idea especially following the recent loss of the first female presidential candidate. We need a new cause to help us come together and remind us where we come from—but more importantly, where we are going. During times of trouble, Penn State has used the phrase “WE ARE” to call upon unity in times of need and disillusionment. Despite the media, naysayers or sports rivals, the phrase has been utilized to bring the school and its alumni back to its mission. As a young woman, I feel there is no better way to bring our country’s women back to our roots than nationally recognizing one of the most heroic females in our history.
As for the organization Women on 20’s, their voice has become too loud for the treasury to ignore. Having Harriet Tubman on the twenty-dollar bill would be an investment in the future of American women. At this point in time, it is crucial that the United States’ government honor women who have shaped our society. The placement of Harriet Tubman on the twenty-dollar bill would be an accomplishment reflecting the achievement and contribution of a person who built American society into what it is today.
Most importantly, the American people, men and women alike, share the common belief that liberty and citizenship represent key ideals that our country hails for ourselves and our children. Those who paved the way for each and every American should be honored every time we reach deep into our pockets; our currency should represent what we believe in and those who fostered those principles despite the challenges they encountered to get there.
As a young woman in America, I look around and feel unlimited. The opportunities bestowed to me by our great nation are undeniable. But growing up in an America where females are held down by the limits of our male counterparts fosters a generation of short sighted and stunted future mothers, doctors, lawyers and electricians. When women go to the bank, they should see strong female role models as they look down and count their tangible success. Young boys should look around and see tenacious women all around them, represented with respect and strongly admired along with their male counterparts. The Tubman Twenty is the next step for young feminists alike to get involved and help women take a large leap forward, but one giant step is just the beginning.
The photo displaying young Afghan men publicly listening to music for the first time since the fall of the Taliban is a really strong photograph. I love how this photo shows change, positive change that’s going on in the country. Most of the photos in the book focus on exposing problems within each nation Addario travels to, but in this case, she uses her lens to show howthe world around her is altering in a positive light. I feel this is an important thing to consider when picking photos for my blog. Using photos to show reform is as important as writing about it. Having readers visually see change in front of them is very powerful as they too may understand how they can help catalyze even greater change to come.
09/09/2017 Beaver Stadium Grounds
