Did you know that the month of March is Women’s History Month? Illinois has been home to its fair share of amazing historical women figures, including activist Ida B. Wells.

Born in Mississippi in 1862, Ida was a prominent investigative journalist, educator, women’s suffragist, socialist and early leader in the civil rights movement, being one of the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

She wrote and published “A Red Record” in 1895, which provided the history and statistical data on the lynching of African Americans in the United States during the late 19th century. Her passion for writing started at a young age and followed through her career as a schoolteacher to provide for her six siblings.

After joining the “Free Speech and Headlight” in 1889 as an editor to highlight the poor conditions of the Memphis school system, she later focused her research on anti-lynching after being fired from her teacher position.

Her interest and writings in the subject was gaining notoriety and was later assigned by “The Chicago Inter-Ocean” the following year to investigate lynching in the American South, even going as far as going undercover and publishing her findings in the newspaper to educate the public.

She has educated the public on a variety of issues through her written works and pamphlets, truly emulating this year’s theme for month, “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.”

To celebrate and honor the achievements of women, the United States Mint recently started printing a series of new quarters under the American Women Quarters Program, of which Ida was selected as one of only 20 women to be selected for a feature.

In February 2025, the United States Mint released the Ida B. Wells quarter where Michelle Duster and Dan Duster, two great-grandchildren of Ida B. Wells, worked with the Mint on the image and wording of the quarter to best represent who she was and the work she did.

Learn more about the historic legacy of Ida B. Wells and the celebration of the new coin minting written by Michelle Duster here.