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March 10, 2023 The Honorable Janet Yellen Secretary of the Treasury Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20220 Dear Madam Secretary: The Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC) held a public meeting on March 1, 2023, during which the CCAC reviewed candidate designs and made recommendations for the 2024 American Women Quarter program. The obverse of the American Women Quarters will continue to feature Laura Gardin Fraser’s profile of George Washington. As background information regarding this program will accompany this communication, this letter details the CCAC’s recommendations. As per Public Law 116-330, the Circulating Collectible Coin Redesign Act, requires the Secretary of the Treasury (Secretary) to issue up to five quarter dollars each year emblematic of prominent American women starting in 2022 through 2025. The women featured on these quarters were selected in accordance with a process approved by the Secretary that included consultation with the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative, the National Women’s History Museum, and the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus. The first reverse portfolio that the CCAC reviewed for 2024 was that honoring Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray, a poet, lawyer, priest, activist, and legal theorist who was directly involved in and helped articulate the intellectual foundations of two of the most important social justice moments of the twentieth century, specifically, women’s rights and civil rights. For the discussion of the six reverse candidate designs, the CCAC was joined by Ms. Karen Ross, the great niece of Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray and founder of the Pauli Murray Foundation. Following a robust discussion, the CCAC recommended unanimously reverse design PM-R-01A, containing a portrait of Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray within the shape of the letter “O” in the word “HOPE.” While not initially favored by Ms. Ross, during our discussion she came to endorse this design due to its uniqueness. The second reverse portfolio reviewed for 2024 was that honoring Celia Cruz, a distinguished Cuban American artist, an international superstar and cultural icon. Mr. Omer Pardillo, former manager to Ms. Cruz and executor of her estate, joined the CCAC for discussion of the six reverse candidate designs. The CCAC recommended unanimously reverse design CC-R-01, which portrays Ms. Cruz with her dazzling smile while performing in a rumba style dress with her signature catchphrase “AZUCAR!” inscribed on the coin. This design was also favored by Mr. Pardillo and the US Commission on Fine Arts (CFA). Established by an Act of Congress, Public Law 108-15 https://www.ccac.gov The reverse designs honoring Ms. Patsy Takemoto Mink was the third American woman portfolio reviewed by the CCAC. A third generation Japanese American, she endured racial and gender discrimination and persevered to become an accomplished legislator at state and federal levels. The CCAC was fortunate to have her daughter, Ms. Gwendolyn Mink, join the discussion, reviewing the five reverse candidate designs. Following a robust discussion, involving Ms. Mink on many occasions, the CCAC voted to recommend to the Secretary of Treasury both reverse candidate designs PTM-04 and PTM-05. Ms. Mink shared that she too sees the merits of both the designs recommended by the CCAC. The CCAC’s recommendation was with the knowledge that the CFA favored PTM-05. Finally, the CCAC also recommended that should the Secretary select design PTM-05 that delimiters be used to separate the different inscriptions. Zitkala-Ša (meaning “Red Bird”), also known as Ms. Gertrude Simmons, was the fourth woman recognized. An outspoken advocate, activist, and author for American Indian rights, she founded the National Council of American Indians. Joining the CCAC during its review of the ten reverse candidate designs, was her great granddaughter, Ms. Holly Brown Ogle, and her great-great grandson Mr. Mark Bonnin. The CCAC recommended reverse candidate design ZS-03B with a score of thirty points out of a maximum score of thirty. This design, which was also favored by the family and the CFA, depicts Zitkala-Ša with a determined expression and includes inscriptions “AUTHOR,” “ACTIVIST,” and “COMPOSER”. The fifth reverse portfolio for 2024 reverse designed honored Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a woman’s rights advocate, a Civil War surgeon, and the only woman to receive the Medal of Honor. Mr. George DeMass, a historian from Oswego, New York, joined the CCAC to review the thirteen reverse candidate designs. Based upon helpful historical input from the liaisons, the CCAC recommended reverse candidate design MEW-02 with a score of thirty points out of a maximum score of thirty. This design was also favored by the liaisons. It was an honor for the CCAC to make recommendations from such a phenomenal range of designs for this historic series recognizing American women. On behalf of the CCAC, we are thankful to continue our participation in the process of recommending designs that will be discussed and appreciated by Americans for years to come in telling the history of the United States. This is especially relevant as we celebrate National Women’s History Month. Sincerely, Lawrence S. Brown, Jr., MD, MPH, FACP, DFASAM CCAC Chairperson