For the first time in American history, a woman; an African American will be among the faces on the country’s paper currency.
According to reports, iconic humanitarian and abolitionist Harriet Tubman will be replacing the seventh President of America, Andrew Jackson who currently graces the front of the $20 bill. Tubman was popular for her work with the Underground Railroad that helped former slaves escape captivity.
Last year, U.S. treasury secretary Jack Lew revealed plans to replace the country’s first-ever treasury secretary, Alexander Hamilton’s face with a woman’s on the $10 bill. However, his decision received a major backlash from Americans who were against the change. Now the treasury department has confirmed Tubman will replace Jackson on the front of the dollar $2o bill, although Jackson may likely remain on the back of the bill. However, the new designs for the bills will be circulated in 2020.
Tubman has been called the perfect choice as the first American woman to go on the $20 bill, as a result of her unforgettable work to end both slavery and promote women’s suffrage.
Meanwhile there are mixed reactions from Americans on social media.
https://twitter.com/katyIateIy/status/722740876057948160?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
It is poignant that an owner of enslaved people is being replaced by a former enslaved person. #HarrietTubman:… https://t.co/wFAsIdev3U
— Karen Hunter (@karenhunter) April 20, 2016
https://twitter.com/CharlotteAlter/status/722827925569994754?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw