Which Woman Will Replace Alexander Hamilton On $10 Bill? #TheNew10 Campaign Aims To Help

Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew announced that a woman would replace Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill, and has asked the American public to help determine who would win the coveted spot.

#TheNew10 Campaign

Secretary Lew launched the New 10 campaign on Thursday, June 18, announcing that a woman would finally be featured on paper currency. “The new $10 bill will be the first bill in more than a century to feature the portrait of a woman,” Lew said in a video announcement.

The new $10 bill is scheduled to enter circulation in 2020 to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment that granted women the right to vote. Towards the end of his announcement, Lew called upon the public to join in on the conversation and help design the New Ten (#TheNew10).

According to the parameters set forth by Secretary Lew, the woman chosen to be the face of the New Ten must be deceased and have been a strong democratic figure in the US. “The person should be iconic and have made a significant contribution to – or impact on – protecting the freedoms on which our nation was founded,” read the guidelines.

The Tresury added that the $10 bill is being redesigned to include a woman instead of the $20 because of a security recommendation, and Treasury might not be doing away with Alexander Hamilton completely. There are rumors that Hamilton and the as-yet-to-be-chosen woman will share the $10 bill, though that might be unwise given the powerful movement to put a woman on the $20.

What Woman Will Be On The New $10 Bill?

The Treasury has made clear its desire for public input, but it’s unclear the exact role public opinion will play in the final design. Though the bill won’t be put into circulation until 2020, the New 10 website states that the Secretary will be listening to public discussion, including social media activity and town hall meetings, throughout the summer. So, those who might want to influence the outcome of the new $10 might want to jump into the conversation before the summer is out.

People have already answered the call with new designs, featuring women including Amelia Earhart, the previously discussed Rosa Parks – a top contender for the Women On The 20s movement – and less likely candidates, like Beyoncé and Taylor Swift.

There’s no telling which historical figure will become the face of the New 10, but it’s safe to say that Harriet Tubman, who won the popular vote campaign Women On The 20s, is in the running. Also among those featured in the campaign were Rosa Parks, Eleanor Roosevelt and Susan B. Anthony. The Red Cross has put forth its founder, Clara Barton, as a potential candidate, and the Girl Scouts have also nominated their founder.

Article by Olivia Truffaut-Wong

Olivia Truffaut-Wong was born and raised in Berkeley, California, where she developed her love of all things entertainment. After moving to New York City to earn her degree in Film Studies, she stayed on the East Coast to follow her passion and become an entertainment writer. She lives on a diet of television, movies and food.