A Look Inside the U.S. Mint’s Creation of a Quarter Clebrating Ida B. Wells
Ask students: Where are the quarters honoring notable American women made? What are some of the causes that Wells stood up for?
We’re taking a look at a special series of quarters honoring notable American women. This is the final year of the program, and one of the coins for 2025 features journalist and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells. John Yang reports from the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, where the coins are being made.
View the transcript of the story. News alternative: Check out recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google Doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
Discussion Questions
- Who is Ida B. Wells?
- Where are the quarters honoring notable American women made?
- What are some of the causes that Wells stood up for?
- How does Phebe Hemphill create the sculptures for the coins?
- Who are some of the other women featured in the quarters series?
Focus Questions
Several of the issues that Ida B. Wells raised awareness for didn't find their way into legislation until long after her death.
- Why do you think it took so long for her work to be recognized?
- Can you think of other women in American history that stood up for causes that were "ahead of their time"?
Media literacy: Where can you find out more about how and why these women were chosen for the American Women quarters series?
Extension Activity
Check out our Journalism in Action page on Investigative Journalists: The Muckrakers to learn more about Ida B. Wells and her investigation on lynching.
Watch the video below to see the making of the Ida B. Wells mosaic in Washington, D.C.'s Union Station! You can also read more about the mosaic here.
Women's History Month Lesson Plans & Resources
Use these timely preK-12 lesson plans and class activities to incorporate key figures and historical events in your Women’s History Month lesson planning. This Share My Lesson collection spans topics like women’s suffrage and women’s rights and features influential women in science, social justice and rock-and-roll.
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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