“Strong Woman of Faith” Harriet Tubman Will Be Featured on the $20 Bill

By H. B. Lindsley [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
By H. B. Lindsley [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman will be the new face on the $20 bill.

The U.S. Treasury made a recent announcement stating that the legendary Harriet Tubman would be selected as the face of the $20 bill. The decision was welcomed by most, especially from the advocates of religious freedom who praised Tubman for her strong Christian faith.

“Strong Woman of Faith” Harriet Tubman Will Be Featured on the $20 Bill[/tweetthis]

Kristina Arriaga, Executive Director of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, credited Tubman as being strong woman of faith and as a person who stood for her beliefs and justice. She further added that Tubman’s physical and moral courage, along with her faith-based convictions, made her an example to all Americans.

Tubman was a Black Abolitionist leader who is remembered for helping and rescuing several fugitive slaves via a network known as the Underground Railroad. She will be replacing Andrew Jackson on the front side of the $20 bill. However, Andrew Jackson’s image will still be maintained on the reverse side.

The changes to the bill were announced on Wednesday, this week, by Jack Lew, the Treasury Secretary. The decision to include Tubman’s image is a historically significant move, which addresses the country’s legacy with regard to slavery, gender equality and racism.

The decision was made after an online campaign demanding the inclusion of a female face on the currency went viral.

The $10 bill will retain Alexander Hamilton’s image after historians and a Broadway musical pushed for his preservation.

Lew stated that Tubman’s story was a tale of American democracy at its finest and that it showed how one individual could make a significant difference. He added that the things that have changed for better in America stand as testimony to the struggles experienced by people such as Tubman.

The inclusion of minorities and women on U.S. currency has been a long-debated topic. However, it has come to an end, thanks to the recent move by the treasury. The new series of bills to be released by the treasury will also include added features to prevent counterfeiting and assist the visually challenged.

Harriet Tubman was born into slavery in the year 1820 at Maryland. She made an escape to Philadelphia in 1849, but continued coming back to the south as part of her efforts to rescue slaves using the Underground Railroad.

She was fondly referred to as “Moses,” a biblical character who is credited with freeing the Israelites from the Egyptians.

The inclusion of Tubman’s image on the $20 bill has been met mostly with positivity. However, certain atheistic publications have also suggested that the treasury eliminate the phrase “In God We Trust” from American currency.

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