# A woman will be featured on the new U.S. $10 bill **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 18, 2015, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814 "2015-06-18T01:54:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![davida03801](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5e925/32.png) [@davida03801](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davida03801)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/81 "2015-06-19T11:22:47Z")
I’m for Wilma Mankiller. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/82 "2015-06-19T12:04:17Z")
> [@Absolute](#): > > I agree. Grace Hopper is a perfect choice. Agree! Never heard of her until today. Thanks, Shodan. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/83 "2015-06-19T12:08:10Z")
> [@Aquadementia](#): > > [Elinor Ostrom](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elinor_Ostrom) is the only Nobel Prize winner in economics that is a woman. I’m not sure how influential that was and I only know about that myself because I looked it up just now. Seems to be for some interesting ideas who’s time is yet to come. > > Is there anyone better from that field? Ostrom would be a good choice, to symbolize the tug-of-war between individualism and community spirit which pervades so much of US history and character. As to her direct influence, she is well known among anthropologists and human geographers, and philosophers of environmentalism (and also among political scientists who debate neoliberalism). Not sure about elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/84 "2015-06-19T12:12:37Z")
> [@FeAudrey](#): > > Most notably, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. > A few from a list of people on banknotes: > > [List of people on United States banknotes - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_on_United_States_banknotes) > > William Clark; Meriwether Lewis – explorers > > DeWitt Clinton – father of the Erie Canal > > Robert Fulton – Mr. Steamboat, and other engineering/invention accomplishments > > Albert Gallatin – “the father of American ethnology” (Native American interests) > > Samuel F. B. Morse – inventor of the telegraph > > and those are just the names I recognized right off. > > A lot of the military and naval types probably had some engineering background. Among non-currency presidents, that category included Dwight Eisenhower and Jimmy Carter. > > More non-currency types: Theodore Roosevelt had extensive natural history interests. Herbert Hoover trained as a geologist and had a distinguished careet in engineering. But many - most of those people were also statesmen. I can see a case for Grace Hopper, scientist and dedicated her life to the service of her country. MAYBE Sally Ride - but she was an acknowledged token to start with. But Hedy Lamar? (who did NOT invent WiFi any more than Al Gore invented the internet) She was a smart woman who did invent something valuable and interesting - no reason to set her up for the Al Gore treatment, to borrow laurels she does not need on her behalf, only to have someone knock them off her head) A scientist or engineer merely because she’s was a scientist or an engineer? IF you pick a female scientist who had an impact on our political lives, it should probably be Elizabeth Blackwell - the first female physician and a noted suffragist. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/85 "2015-06-19T12:14:05Z")
> [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > U.S. law prohibits living persons from being depicted on money, so people like Sandra Day O’Connor and Oprah Winfrey are out. Which is why I said you’d have to wait a few years for O’Connor. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/86 "2015-06-19T13:32:37Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > I have two reactions: > 1- awesome! About time, and we should change up more of the currency. Coins and bills seemed to change constantly until the last few decades; now people act like the specific designs are set in stone for all eternity. > 2- dammit, Ham-boy’s my man! Get rid of someone else, keep Hammy and rearrange who’s on which bill. I totally disagree. The more variants of bills & redesigns of bills makes it easier to counterfeit as people don’t know if what they’re getting is real. I’ve gotten a new $20 from an ATM or in change, noticed it was different & just assumed that they’ve made another change to the currency. Do this enough, & I’ll be able to slip in bills from Monopoly &, if questioned, say that they’re the latest redesign. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/87 "2015-06-19T15:48:08Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > …At the risk of being whooshed, I assume those who’ve suggested Madonna, Sandra Day O’Connor, Oprah Winfrey etc. are aware that living people can’t be portrayed on U.S. currency. > [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > I suppose Hillary Clinton is out. > [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > Maybe Rachel Dolezal? [It seems to have been her idea.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hV_6hVSdNnw) 😉 > [@Jeff\_Lichtman](#): > > U.S. law prohibits living persons from being depicted on money, so people like Sandra Day O’Connor and Oprah Winfrey are out. Hmm. Should I use my power of invisibility for good or evil…? ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/88 "2015-06-19T16:20:25Z")
I heard an interview this morning with a direct descendant of Alexander Hamilton, who made the good argument about putting a woman on the $20 and replacing Andrew Jackson instead, for a whole host of reasons (i.e. Jackson tried to subvert the U.S. Bank and hated the idea of paper money, in addition to the whole slaveholding and trail of tears things). Besides, I might add (as a hetero male), Hamilton makes our currency look good! And it goes without saying that he helped establish our national banking system. So, we need a movement to start: “Hey hey! Ho, ho! Put the woman on the 20, yo!” (the slogan needs work). As for the woman who is so honored, I’m in favor of Sojourner Truth. Badass name. Badass woman. ---
**Author:** ![Ranchoth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranchoth/32/1066_2.png) [@Ranchoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranchoth)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/89 "2015-06-19T17:35:24Z")
If we want a female scientist, [Stephanie Kwolek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephanie_Kwolek) could do, or several of the women [involved in the Manhattan Project](http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/courses/teachers_corner/31784.html). For a war hero, there’s [Molly Pitcher](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_Pitcher), [Deborah Sampson](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deborah_Sampson), [Margaret Corbin](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Corbin), or [Mary Edwards Walker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Edwards_Walker). For a “symbolic” figure, there’s [Rosie the Riveter](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosie_the_Riveter), [Lady Liberty](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_%28goddess%29)(what, a _[goddess](http://d2xkgi1p28g9gr.cloudfront.net/XqBU9057nqTO-Q9JhEqn8mDEuzU=/1501x780/smart/etch-production.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/posts/bd/d0/00/bdd0000000000000.jpg?gid=88821585)_ ain’t good enough for ya?), [Columbia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbia_%28name%29) (ditto), or, for a modern take, the [Goddess of Democracy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goddess_of_Democracy). (Better Dead than Red) And, of course, if you want a more “classical” angle, there’s always [Betsy Ross.](http://byt.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/betsyross.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/90 "2015-06-19T18:06:28Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > But Hedy Lamar? (who did NOT invent WiFi any more than Al Gore invented the internet) That’s not even a remotely similar comparison. Although Al Gore [didn’t actually say he “invented” the Internet](http://www.snopes.com/quotes/internet.asp): > [@](#): > > During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet. I took the initiative in\*\* moving forward a whole range of initiatives \*\*that have proven to be important to our country’s economic growth and environmental protection, improvements in our educational system. … that’s still some pretty impressive bullshitting. Basically he supported legislation that then led to the possibility of other people developing technology that would lead to other people “inventing” the Internet. Hedy Lamarr, [on the other hand](http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/hedy-lamarr-not-just-a-pr/), came up with the idea of frequency hopping herself and developed the technology with George Antheil (a composer). So no, she didn’t “invent wifi”, but she invented the technology that made wifi a possibility. That’s far more involved than Al Gore’s “role” in inventing the Internet. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/91 "2015-06-19T19:13:13Z")
In support of my earlier endorsement for [Sojorner Truth](https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Sojourner_Truth), I noticed today that the last name of the person on the currency has their last name written below their portrait. Imagine [this](https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Sojourner_Truth#/media/File:Sojourner_truth_c1870.jpg) lovely face on the $10.00, with the word “Truth” written below it. Pret-tay cool. I’m just sayin’… … Maybe the plan is to put a woman on the $10.00, and then move Hamilton to his deserved spot on the $20.00, where he will replace that undeserving Andrew Jackson, which will fully correct the current currency injustice! ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/92 "2015-06-19T19:43:51Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Hmm. Should I use my power of invisibility for good or evil…? Ha! No offense. I saw the title of the thread and popped in without reading the thread just to post the Dolezal link. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/93 "2015-06-19T19:55:39Z")
> [@zweisamkeit](#): > > …That’s far more involved than Al Gore’s “role” in inventing the Internet. FTR, the people who actually did invent the Internet have gone on record adding Gore was an invaluable advocate in Congress and deserves much credit for getting funding long before most representatives knew what it was. As for a woman on a bill, anybody is better than the asshole currently on the $20. I’d vote for Elenore. Keep Hamilton on the $10. Edit: perhaps a good solution, if Hamilton is to remain, is to have a group portrait of all the major suffragettes, similar to the back of the $2. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/94 "2015-06-19T20:11:44Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > … perhaps a good solution, if Hamilton is to remain, is to have a group portrait of all the major suffragettes, similar to the back of the $2. Or “the bathtub” at the U.S. Capitol: [Reverend Jeffrey's Story of History: In Praise of Three Women in a Bathtub](http://reverendjeffrey.blogspot.com/2011/03/in-praise-of-three-women-in-bathtub.html) ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/95 "2015-06-19T23:41:09Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Hmm. Should I use my power of invisibility for good or evil…? Who said that? _looks around_ How about Marilyn Monroe? I hear she worked closely with JFK and Bobby. ---
**Author:** ![Octarine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/22d042/32.png) [@Octarine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Octarine)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2015, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/96 "2015-06-19T23:58:12Z")
While I know that the limitations of the past mean many of the US’s powerful women have been First Ladies, I’d really like someone who didn’t get their influence as a result of their husband. ---
**Author:** ![SailorHG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@SailorHG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SailorHG)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/97 "2015-06-20T14:43:06Z")
Why should they limit it to just one woman? They could do like they did with the whole State Quarters thing and feature fifty or one hundred different women. There is no shortage of worthy candidates, and they could even have “series” featuring humanitarians, scientists, musicians, artists, etc. As a bonus, all of the collectors who would pull $500 or $1000 out of the banking system and just sit on it? Wouldn’t that help the national debt? ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 3:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/98 "2015-06-20T15:28:46Z")
> [@garygnu](#): > > FTR, the people who actually did invent the Internet have gone on record adding Gore was an invaluable advocate in Congress and deserves much credit for getting funding long before most representatives knew what it was. > > As for a woman on a bill, anybody is better than the asshole currently on the $20. I’d vote for Elenore. Keep Hamilton on the $10. > > Edit: perhaps a good solution, if Hamilton is to remain, is to have a group portrait of all the major suffragettes, similar to the back of the $2. Vince Cerf and Robert Kahn [http://web.eecs.umich.edu/~fessler/misc/funny/gore,net.txt](http://web.eecs.umich.edu/~fessler/misc/funny/gore,net.txt) > [@](#): > > “No one in public life has been more intellectually engaged in helping to create the climate for a thriving Internet than the Vice President.” Hedy Lamarr helped invent a technology later used for WiFi. She didn’t “invent” wifi. Frequency hopping on its own was an important innovation that helped win WWII. We don’t need to borrow laurels for her, her own are quite impressive. As are Mr. Gore’s regarding the internet. And when you borrow laurels it becomes so much easier to rip them off, and take some of what you actually did earn with them - see Mr. Gore. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/99 "2015-06-20T16:14:05Z")
> [@SailorHG](#): > > As a bonus, all of the collectors who would pull $500 or $1000 out of the banking system and just sit on it? Wouldn’t that help the national debt? Extremely few people would do that. You can’t make collectors editions from valuable notes. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2015, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814/100 "2015-06-20T16:19:09Z")
> [@SailorHG](#): > > Why should they limit it to just one woman? They could do like they did with the whole State Quarters thing and feature fifty or one hundred different women. One reason is counterfeiting. It’s harder to fake a bill when people know exactly what it’s supposed to look like. The more different designs, the easier it is to fool people. Another reason is machine recognition. ATMs, vending machines, ticket kiosks and the like have to be able to read a bill and determine its denomination. Every time the treasury comes out with a new design these machines have to be reprogrammed. That would be a pretty big job if they came out with fifty new designs, as opposed to just one. Coins are different. Counterfeiters rarely bother with coins, because it’s too much work for too little payback. Machines recognize different coins by their size and weight, not by the pictures on them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-woman-will-be-featured-on-the-new-u-s-10-bill/722814.md?page=6)