Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray

The obverse (heads) depicts a portrait of George Washington, originally composed and sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser to mark George Washington’s 200th birthday. A recommended design for the 1932 quarter, then-Treasury Secretary Mellon ultimately selected the familiar John Flanagan design.

The reverse (tails) depicts Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray’s eyeglass-framed face within the shape of the word “HOPE,” which is symbolic of Murray’s belief that significant societal reforms were possible when rooted in hope. A line from her poem “Dark Testament,” characterizes hope as “A SONG IN A WEARY THROAT,” an inscription in the design.

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2024 Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray Quarter – Honoring a Champion of Civil Rights and Gender Equality

The 2024 Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray Quarter is the 11th release in the American Women Quarters™ Program, a U.S. Mint initiative that celebrates the achievements of trailblazing women who shaped American history. This coin honors Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, a poet, lawyer, activist, and Episcopal priest whose groundbreaking work in civil rights, gender equality, and social justice continues to inspire generations.

Born on November 20, 1910, in Baltimore, Maryland, Pauli Murray was raised in Durham, North Carolina. A gifted student, she graduated high school at just 15 and moved to New York City to attend Hunter College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature in 1933. Her early experiences with racial and gender discrimination fueled a lifelong commitment to justice and equality.

In 1938, Murray applied to the University of North Carolina, which at the time was an all-white institution. Her rejection sparked national attention and led to a correspondence and friendship with First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who admired Murray’s courage and intellect.

In 1940, Murray and a friend were arrested for refusing to move from the whites-only section of a bus in Virginia—a protest that predated Rosa Parks’ famous act of civil disobedience. This experience solidified Murray’s decision to pursue a legal career. She enrolled at Howard University School of Law, where she graduated top of her class in 1944. Despite earning a prestigious fellowship to Harvard University, she was denied admission solely because she was a woman.

Undeterred, Murray earned a Master of Laws degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and in 1965, she became the first African American to receive a Doctor of Juridical Science degree from Yale Law School.

Murray’s legal scholarship and activism were instrumental in the fight against segregation and discrimination. Her 1950 book, States’ Laws on Race and Color, was a comprehensive analysis of segregation laws across the U.S. and was described by Thurgood Marshall as the “Bible” for civil rights lawyers. The book played a key role in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision that ended legal segregation in public schools.

In 1966, Murray co-founded the National Organization for Women (NOW) alongside Betty Friedan and other feminists. However, she later stepped back from leadership, concerned that the organization did not adequately address the unique challenges faced by Black and working-class women.

In a groundbreaking move, Murray became the first Black woman ordained as an Episcopal priest in 1977, combining her spiritual calling with her lifelong advocacy for justice. Her sermons and writings reflected a deep belief in the power of hope and the necessity of reform rooted in compassion and equity.

Murray passed away from cancer on July 1, 1985, but her legacy lives on. Her life’s work continues to influence legal scholars, activists, and faith leaders. She is remembered as a visionary who challenged the status quo and laid the groundwork for future movements in civil rights and gender equality.

Design Details of the 2024 Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray Quarter

The obverse (heads) of the coin features a classic portrait of George Washington, originally designed by Laura Gardin Fraser in 1932 to commemorate Washington’s 200th birthday. Though not selected at the time, Fraser’s design now honors women’s contributions to American history through numismatics.

The reverse (tails) design features Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray’s eyeglass-framed face integrated into the shape of the word “HOPE”, symbolizing her unwavering belief that meaningful societal change is possible when rooted in hope. The design also includes a line from her powerful poem “Dark Testament”:
“A SONG IN A WEARY THROAT”, capturing the emotional depth and resilience that defined her life and work.

The edge-incused inscriptions include:

• “2024” – the year of minting
• Mint mark – indicating the production facility
• “E PLURIBUS UNUM” – Latin for “Out of many, one,” a motto of unity

Why the Pauli Murray Quarter Matters

The 2024 Reverend Dr. Pauli Murray Quarter is more than a commemorative coin—it’s a tribute to a woman whose life bridged law, literature, activism, and faith. Her legacy continues to shape conversations around race, gender, and justice in America.

Whether you’re a coin collector, a civil rights historian, or someone passionate about social justice, this coin is a powerful addition to any collection. It honors a visionary whose courage and intellect helped redefine equality in the 20th century.