# What famous woman would you like to see on the $20 bill? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 23, 2015, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776 "2015-03-23T15:12:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Jack\_of\_Words](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f6c823/32.png) [@Jack\_of\_Words](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_of_Words)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/61 "2015-03-23T22:20:53Z")
There are always at least two ways to reach equality. Why put people on the currency at all? Remove the men, bingo, you have equality. Does anyone really form their views of gender and/or historical significance from their _wallets_?? ---
**Author:** ![coffeecat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coffeecat/32/3405_2.png) [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/62 "2015-03-23T23:29:59Z")
Harriet Tubman. She was born a slave and escaped to freedom. After that, most people would hide under the bed with PTSD whenever someone said “cotton.” Instead, she went back, over and over again, rescuing others. She also, as an old woman, underwent brain surgery without anesthesia. Big brass ovaries, that one. Jackson could go on the $50–topless and riding a shark. ---
**Author:** ![CaptainAmerica\_1987](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/49beb7/32.png) [@CaptainAmerica\_1987](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CaptainAmerica_1987)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/63 "2015-03-23T23:36:42Z")
Elizabeth Holloway Marston ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/64 "2015-03-23T23:39:34Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > I think Diceman and I are of the same mindset. Some of these people I have to look up to even know who they are. It’d be hard to say they belong on currency if I don’t even recognize their name… Has it occurred to you that you don’t know their names because they aren’t given the recognition they deserve, like you know, being put on currency? Stuff like that. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2015, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/65 "2015-03-23T23:44:29Z")
> [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](#): > > Harriet Tubman, I’d say, if it’s going to be a woman. Otherwise Harry Truman or Theodore Roosevelt. I love the idea of Theodore Roosevelt but anything that gets Jackson off the $20 is a good thing. I like the idea Harriet Tubman. She leads my choices of those not named Theodore Roosevelt. But to get Jackson off the $20 I would accept most any reasonable argument. ---
**Author:** ![coffeecat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/coffeecat/32/3405_2.png) [@coffeecat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/coffeecat)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/66 "2015-03-24T00:05:40Z")
> [@The Great Sun Jester](#): > > However, Ayn Rand would be far more appropriate if we wanted to be honest. If Ayn Rand is honored on U.S. currency, I will personally secede from the union. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/67 "2015-03-24T00:07:53Z")
Ellen Ripley. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/68 "2015-03-24T00:10:49Z")
> [@Enright3](#): > > I think Diceman and I are of the same mindset. Some of these people I have to look up to even know who they are. It’d be hard to say they belong on currency if I don’t even recognize their name. That’s a statement about yourself and/or your education, not a statement about the women in the suggestions. Putting women on our currency would be a statement about raising the visibility of the women who contributed to America’s greatness. Of course, in another fifty years, all money will be electronic and the subject will be moot. That said, I’m in the Anybody-But-Reagan camp. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/69 "2015-03-24T00:37:34Z")
In other banknote-related news: The European Bank has put out a new 20 Euro … uh, euro. In order to promote it they’ve developed a new version of that hip, new, video game all the kids are playing: Tetris! > **[How do you promote a new banknote? With 'Tetris,' of course | Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2015-03-20-european-central-bank-new-euro-tetris.html)** > > If there's one thing that kids love more than Tetris, it's learning about the security features built into new banknotes. It’s a browser based-Tetris game that will teach you all the sexy new security features built into new bills. And speaking of sexy - check out the gorgeous new pixel art that Norway is implementing on the back of their currency. Seriously - that is some genuinely beautiful bank note material. Very modern and cool. > **[Norway's new bank notes are pixel art dreams | Engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2014-10-10-snohetta-norway-banknote-pixel-art.html)** > > Norway's new banknotes are quite literally works of art. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/70 "2015-03-24T00:37:51Z")
I can’t believe nobody has mentioned **Betsy Ross**. Not my favorite but I still believe she would be an excellent choice. The previously mention \*\*Grace Hopper \*\*would be the best selection because she doesn’t get the recognition she deserves and this might bring her name out of the shadows. **Sally Ride** would also be a good candidate. We need more science people and fewer politicians in circulation. And, just for shits and giggles, I would love to see **Koko Taylor** on a twenty dollar bill! I’d break one every time I ordered a drink. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/71 "2015-03-24T00:41:53Z")
Billie Holiday. Billie Fucking Holiday. you want to come up with someone who defined America while facing racism and misogyny every day, you would be hard pressed to some up with anyone more suited. I read the Wiki entry on Grace Hopper. Much respect - a great choice, next to Sojourner Truth and a few other. But Billie Holiday - wow. ---
**Author:** ![bashere](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@bashere](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bashere)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/72 "2015-03-24T00:41:57Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Grace Murray Hopper That’s who I came in to suggest. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/73 "2015-03-24T00:59:03Z")
Janis Joplin Mama Cass Virginia Masters ---
**Author:** ![escaped](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/848f3c/32.png) [@escaped](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/escaped)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/74 "2015-03-24T01:05:10Z")
ameila earheart Eleanor roosevelt ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/75 "2015-03-24T01:16:01Z")
> [@coffeecat](#): > > If Ayn Rand is honored on U.S. currency, I will personally secede from the union. I wouldn’t go that far. But I agree with you in the sense of opposing anyone whose presence is a clear victory for either the Democrats or, as in the case of Rand, the Republicans. Grace Hopper works as a bipartisan choice, but I think it too obvious that if not for being a woman, she would have no chance of selection. Harriet Tubman, I think, is a great choice. The Underground Railroad is unsurpassed in its heroism and in its centrality to American history. And Tubman is its best known figure. If the female doesn’t have to be famous, I’d vote for children looking at the globe. such as on the Taiwan $1000 (equivalent of approximately US$30) bill: > **[Fifth series of the new Taiwan dollar banknote](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fifth_series_of_the_new_Taiwan_dollar_banknote#/media/File:NT1000-2000.png)** > > The fifth series of the new Taiwan dollar banknotes is the current and latest series to be issued for circulation in the Republic of China (Taiwan). It was first introduced by the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on 3 July 2000. > For years the old Chinese Nationalist yuan was still the official national currency of the Republic of China. The Chinese Nationalist yuan was also known as the fiat currency (法幣) or the silver yuán (銀元), even though it was decoupled from the value of silve... ---
**Author:** ![ataraxy22](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ataraxy22/32/307_2.png) [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/76 "2015-03-24T01:23:00Z")
is there any reason only one needs to be added? i mean, we have dozens and dozens of different quarters in circulation right now, and I don’t hear stories of people confusing them? ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/77 "2015-03-24T01:35:55Z")
Another vote for Admiral Hopper. > [@coffeecat](#): > > If Ayn Rand is honored on U.S. currency, I will personally secede from the union. I will join that secession movement. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/78 "2015-03-24T01:54:48Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Has it occurred to you that you don’t know their names because they aren’t given the recognition they deserve, like you know, being put on currency? Stuff like that. Yeah, good luck with that. Ask most kids nowadays and they think Hamilton & Franklin are “dead presidents”. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/79 "2015-03-24T01:58:57Z")
> [@coffeecat](#): > > If Ayn Rand is honored on U.S. currency, I will personally secede from the union. Let’s put her on the one mill piece.😛 > **[Coinage Act of 1792](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coinage_Act_of_1792)** > > The Coinage Act of 1792 (also known as the Mint Act; officially: An act establishing a mint, and regulating the Coins of the United States), passed by the United States Congress on April 2, 1792, created the United States dollar as the country's standard unit of money, established the United States Mint, and regulated the coinage of the United States. This act established the silver dollar as the unit of money in the United States, declared it to be lawful tender, and created a decimal system By... ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776/80 "2015-03-24T02:27:45Z")
> [@Peanuthead](#): > > I can’t believe nobody has mentioned **Betsy Ross**. Not my favorite but I still believe she would be an excellent choice. Would be good except that the story about her making the first flag, and giving it to Washington, is unproven. > [@](#): > > The previously mention \*\*Grace Hopper \*\*would be the best selection because she doesn’t get the recognition she deserves and this might bring her name out of the shadows. I am missing that. She is as well known as Von Neumann, who did his important work in the US, and is far more important to computer history. Everyone still uses the Von Neumann architechture, but Hopper’s COBOL is dying. And she is much more well known than Eckert and Mauchly, each of whom is clearly more important than her to computer history. Accusations that the choosen woman is there solely because of gender are inevitable. But I would avoid making those accusations fair ones. So let’s put on someone from an area of achievement where women really and clearly achieved as much, or more, than any man, such a feminism, abolitionism, or, maybe, entertainment. Feminism has already been done (Anthony), so I favored abolitionism earlier in the thread. As for entertainment, I’d be OK with Garland and Merman, in an image possible taken from a TV show where they appeared together. They were Democrat and Republican, respectively. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-famous-woman-would-you-like-to-see-on-the-20-bill/715776.md?page=5)