Last Wednesday (Feb. 1), the United States Mint announced its 2024 honorees for the American Women Quarters™ Program, and the queen of salsa music Celia Cruz is one of the honorees.
Cruz, an Afro-Cuban singer, was influential in the Latin community, being one of the pioneers of salsa music — Cruz was dubbed the queen of salsa at a time when men dominated the genre. Salsa originated in the 1940s and ’50s and became popular mainly in New York City, fusing Latin and African music.
The guarachera helped the Afro-Latino community embrace their identity during the Civil Rights movement through her music. Cruz recorded over 70 albums for over five decades, of which 23 went gold. Some of her popular songs were “La Vida Es un Carnaval,” her cover of “Yo Vivire (I Will Survive),” “Bemba Colora” and “La Negra Tiene Tumbao.”
The “Quimbara” singer achieved five Grammys and won the National Medal of the Arts in 1994. In 2016, the Grammys posthumously awarded her the Lifetime Achievement award for her unforgettable impact on the Afro-Latin culture with her music, powerful voice, fashion and personality.
In 2003, the Latin music queen died at the age of 77 from complications after undergoing brain surgery in 2002 for a brain tumor she had.
In 2013, Cruz was honored at the American Music Awards with a tribute performance by Jennifer Lopez.
The other honorees include activist and writer Zitkala-Ša (translates to “red bird”), African American poet and lawyer Pauli Murray, abolitionist and Civil War surgeon Dr. Mary Edwards Walker and Patsy Takemoto Mink.
“All of the women being honored have lived remarkable and multi-faceted lives and have made a significant impact on our Nation in their own unique way,” Ventris C. Gibson, Mint Director, said. “The women pioneered change during their lifetimes, not yielding to the status quo imparted during their lives. By honoring these pioneering women, the Mint continues to connect America through coins which are like small works of art in your pocket.”
