NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?
SUMMARY
This Women’s History Month, we’re taking a look at a special series of quarters honoring notable American women. This is the final year of the program, and one of the coins for 2025 features journalist and civil rights activist Ida B. Wells. John Yang reports from the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, where the coins are being made.
View the transcript of the story. News alternative: Check out recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
WARM-UP QUESTIONS
- Who is Ida B. Wells?
- Where are the quarters honoring notable American women made?
- What are some of the causes that Wells stood up for?
- How does Phebe Hemphill create the sculptures for the coins?
- Who are some of the other women featured in the quarters series?
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Several of the issues that Ida B. Wells raised awareness for didn't find their way into legislation until long after her death.
- Why do you think it took so long for her work to be recognized?
- Can you think of other women in American history that stood up for causes that were "ahead of their time"?
Media literacy: Where can you find out more about how and why these women were chosen for the American Women quarters series?
WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO
Check out our Journalism in Action page on Investigative Journalists: The Muckrakers to learn more about Ida B. Wells and her investigation on lynching.
Watch the video below to see the making of the Ida B. Wells mosaic in Washington, D.C.'s Union Station! You can also read more about the mosaic here.
Written by Gianfranco Beran, PBS News Hour Classroom's production assistant, and News Hour's Victoria Pasquantonio.
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