Anna May Wong, a groundbreaking actor, will soon be the first Asian American to appear on US currency. A century after she landed her first leading role, the actor who first gained notoriety in Hollywood during the silent film era will be depicted on US currency.
The back of new quarters will feature an image of Anna May Wong, who is known for having blunt bangs and thin eyebrows. The design was unveiled in the wake of the American Women Quarters Program, which aims to highlight trailblazing females in various professions.
The first American woman in space, Sally Ride; Cherokee Nation leader Wilma Mankiller; and suffragist Nina Otero-Warren were among the four other quarters in production this year.
According to Alison Doone, acting director of the US Mint, “These inspiring coin designs tell the stories of five extraordinary women whose contributions are indelibly etched in American culture.”
Anna May Wong, who is regarded as the first Chinese American actor in Hollywood, had a career spanning four decades and appeared in more than 60 films.
Anna May Wong, a Los Angeles native, started acting at the age of 14, and in 1922 she landed the lead role in “The Toll of the Sea.” While attempting to depart from stereotypical roles, she encountered racism in Hollywood. Anna May Wong fought for more Asian American performers in Hollywood throughout her life and was honored with a plaque on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960.
In 1961, 56-year-old Anna May Wong passed away.
