This collectable keepsake ornament is the latest offering from the American Women Quarters™ Program honoring Maya Angelou!

From 2022-2025, this historic program celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by prominent women of the United States. All of the honorees—representing ethnically, racially, and geographically diverse backgrounds—distinguished themselves in a wide variety of fields and endeavors, including suffrage, civil rights, abolition, government, humanities, science, space, the arts, and many others.

Maya Angelou was a celebrated writer, performer, and social activist who rose to international prominence as an author after the publication of her autobiography “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”

This keepsake ornament is exquisitely designed and hand-crafted in solid brass with a rhodium finish. The intricate design elements represent Angelou’s authorship of more than 30 published works, her achievement as one of the first African American woman streetcar conductors in San Francisco, and her work as a director and producer. The ornament’s colors and decorative elements were inspired by her cultural attire and textured head wraps. The drum and musical staff represent her talent for singing and dancing Calypso.

Framed by the ornament is a 2022 quarter with the reverse (tails) design honoring Maya Angelou depicting her with arms uplifted. Behind her are a bird in flight and a rising sun, images inspired by her poetry and symbolic of the way she lived. The silhouette of the bird depicts a Purple Martin, a songbird common to Angelou’s birthplace. Inscriptions are “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “MAYA ANGELOU,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “QUARTER DOLLAR.” The obverse (heads side) of the quarter is not visible. A matching ribbon is attached to the top of the ornament for easy display.

This one-of-a-kind ornament is beautifully protected by matching packaging with MAYA ANGELOU, 2022, and the American Women Quarters logo embossed on the top of the box. It includes a certificate of authenticity, along with an explanation of the ornament’s design elements and brief biography of the honoree.

Honor the courageous steps and accomplishments of women who have created positive change throughout our Nation’s history. We invite you to continue your collection of the American Women Quarters with these exclusive and limited keepsakes!