By Ariel Worthy
It is official. The first woman will be on U.S. paper currency in 100 years.
On Wednesday treasury officials announced Secretary Jacob Lew has decided to put Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, says that the 19th century abolitionist and leader of the Underground Railroad was chosen to replace seventh U.S. president Andrew Jackson.
Lew’s announcement is expected to also provide details on other changes being made to other paper currency.
The decision to place Tubman’s portrait on the $20 likely means that Lew decided to keep Alexander Hamilton on the $10, which is a victory for those who opposed his initial plan to remove Hamilton.
The $10 bill is the next note scheduled for redesign to introduce updated protections against counterfeiting. The redesign is scheduled for 2020, which would be the 100th anniversary for women’s rights to vote. Lew often cited a connection as a reason to put a woman on the $10 bill.
Objection ran strong from supporters of Hamilton, who also happens to have a hit Broadway musical, “Hamilton.”
There is expectation that Lew will propose replacing the Treasury building, which is currently on the $10 bill, with a mural-like depiction of the suffrage movement.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
