By Hollywood star Anna May Wong getting her own quarter
Anna May Wong, who is considered to be the first Chinese American film star in Hollywood is getting her own quarter.
The quarter will roll out on October 24, as part of the Mint American Women Quarters Program, being the fifth to honour the women.
The first role in her career was in the 1922 silent film The Toll of the Sea, she then made history in 1951 as the first Asian American lead in the television show, The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong.
“The fifth coin in our American Women Quarters Program honors Anna May Wong, a courageous advocate who championed for increased representation and more multi-dimensional roles for Asian American actors,” Mint Director Ventris C. Gibson said in a statement.
“This quarter is designed to reflect the breadth and depth of accomplishments by Anna May Wong, who overcame challenges and obstacles she faced during her lifetime.” They said.
Wong is featured resting her head on her hand with ‘flapper-era bangs’.
“Many prominent actors from the 1920s and 1930s saw their name framed by lightbulbs on movie theater marquees, so I thought it made sense to feature Anna May Wong in this way,” Emily Damstra, who designed the coin for the United States Mint said in a press release.
According to The New York Times, the U.S. Mint is expected to create more than 300 million quarters and Wong will become the first Asian American to appear on U.S. currency.
Wong was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, a year before she died.
Actress Lucy Liu thanked the late actress for helping pave the way after receiving the second star for an Asian American Actress.
“She is remembered as an international film star, fashion icon, television trailblazer, and a champion for greater representation of Asian Americans in film,” the U.S. Mint wrote in their news release. “She continues to inspire actors and filmmakers today.”
(Burwell and Burwell Photography/U.S. Mint/Treasury Department)
