Legendary Cuban Singer, and the proclaimed Queen of Salsa herself, Celia Cruz has made history as the first ever Afro-Latina to be put on US currency in the form of a quarter. Since 2022, the United States has been placing more of an emphasis on celebrating women in history with this special honor through the American Women Quarters Program. An initiative that dictates, “the U.S. Mint will issue up to five new reverse designs each year,” up until the program’s assumed conclusion in 2025. In a historic twist, the U.S. Mint has recently announced its latest quarter, one that celebrates the beloved Havana native with a vibrant picture of the artist mid-song, microphone in hand.
Celia Cruz grew up in Santos Suárez, a working-class neighborhood in Havana, Cuba. It was there that her love of music and performance began, but her status as an icon wouldn’t be solidified until years later. Cruz was at the forefront of and helped popularize Salsa music, bringing a beautiful mixture of Cuban and Afro-Latin beats to the world. Since her reign in the 70s, Cruz has become a legend, an icon to the genre and the general public. Her lively performances and carefree attitude can now live on forever in the form of her quarter, which even features the phrase “¡AZÚCAR!” in her honor.
