2024 American Women Quarters Program - Rev. Pauli Murry, D Mint

Own this American Women Quarters Program coin honoring Rev. Pauli Murray –
Lawyer, Episcopal priest, Social Activist, and Poet

This quarter was issued in 2024 as part of the first series of US coins to honor the achievements of women. The reverse design on this quarter features an image of   Reverend Dr. Pauli Mu...  more

Own this American Women Quarters Program coin honoring Rev. Pauli Murray –
Lawyer, Episcopal priest, Social Activist, and Poet

This quarter was issued in 2024 as part of the first series of US coins to honor the achievements of women. The reverse design on this quarter features an image of   Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray within the word “HOPE.”  A line from her poem “Dark Testament” is also inscribed on the coin. This coin was minted at the Philadelphia Mint.

About the American Women Quarters Program

The American Women Quarters Program is a multi-year tribute to women from diverse backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and parts of the US.  They were chosen for their contributions to the abolition of slavery, civil rights activism, roles in government, as well as expertise in science, the arts, humanities and much more.

From 2022 through 2025, five new coins were released each year.  Each coin features a distinctive reverse design honoring an American woman, along with her name, “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.”   The obverse side showcases a new design of George Washington. 

Anne Pauline Murray (1910-1985) was an excellent student, who graduated from high school at age 15.  She graduated from Hunter College during the Great Depression and found it difficult to find a job.  While working various jobs, she began publishing her poetry.  During this time, she also began using the nickname Pauli. 

In the 1940s, Murray worked with the Workers Defense League trying to free an imprisoned sharecropper.  She gave a speech in Richmond, Virginia, and a Howard Law School professor was in the audience.  After the speech, the professor encouraged Murray to apply to the school, which she did.  As a student, she wrote a paper challenging a Supreme Court decision.  Her challenges became part of the Brown vs. Board of Education case that led to desegregation.

In 1977, Murray added another title besides poet, author, and lawyer, when she became the first African American woman to become an Episcopal priest.  She lived her life in service to those facing discrimination.  She knew firsthand how it felt and was determined to stop it wherever she could.