Celia Cruz joins four other trailblazing women as honorees of the U.S. Mint’s 2024 American Women Quarters Program, which recognizes women on the 25 cent coin that have made contributions to U.S. history.
Celia Cruz, who died in 2003, made her mark in the US Latin music scene after immigrating to New Jersey from Cuba in 1961. Cruz’s addition to the program brings representation to the Afro-Latino community.
“It is symbolic,” said Professor Jean Muteba Rahier, who teaches anthropology and African diaspora studies at Florida International University. “It is important because for the first time, it will give some presence and visibility to the Latino community.”
The designs for the coins will be released later this year and production will begin in 2024, according to the mint.
