By Travel With Annita and Friends
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Photo – U.S. Mint
March 30, 2023
Bessie Coleman, the first African American and Native American woman to earn her international pilot’s license. Her story is one of determination and the tenacity to say, “yes, I can do it!”
From an early age Bessie Coleman’s mother taught her the importance of believing in herself and striving to “become somebody.” Her mother could not read, however she borrow books from a traveling library, and helped Bessie learn to read. It was a great success, because not only did Bessie learn to read, she became an avid reader and taught her siblings too. Her love of reading and ability to learn languages helped her achieve her greatest success: learning French and attending pilot training in France. Bessie Coleman, became the first African -American and Native American woman to receive her international pilot’s license in France on June 15, 1921.
Bessie once said, “I guess it was the newspapers reporting on air war in Europe during World War I, that got me interested in flying. I was an avid reader, and searched the libraries looking for information on flying. I think all the articles I read finally convinced me I should be up there flying, and not just reading about it, so I started searching for a flying school. At first I thought it would be easy, just walk in and sign up. I didn’t realize that I had two strikes against me. I remember hearing of a few women pilots before the war but I had never seen one. The other strike against me was my color. No one had ever heard of a black woman pilot in 1919. I refused to take no for an answer. My mother’s words always gave me strength to overcome obstacles.”
Bessie’s story is one filled with determination and the example of believing in yourself and taking action – that makes all the difference in the world.
On this podcast I share her story, along with Dorothy Cochrane with the National Air and Space Museum, Sarah Fisher with the International Women Air & Space museum and, Gigi Coleman the great niece of Bessie Coleman. We come together to share her story and inspire others to reach for the sky and achieve their dreams.
I am Annita Thomas, host of Quarter Miles Travel, a podcast all about the U.S. Mint Quarters programs, where you’ll find not only an adventure on the back of a quarter, but history, iconic Americans, wildlife and so many ways to learn more about the United States.
A few facts about Bessie Coleman.
For more information about Bessie Coleman and to visit places where you’ll learn more about her, click the websites for the following museums.
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
www.airandspace.si.edu
They are preparing for an upcoming Black Wings exhibit which will be part of the Pioneers of Flight gallery opening in 2024, all about African Americans learning to fly in the 1930’s.
International Women Air and Space Museum
www.iwasm.org
Bessie Colemand Aviation All Stars
Gigi Coleman great niece of Bessie Coleman has formed the Bessie Coleman Aviation Allstars to help youth interested in aviation learn more and find avenues to reach their dreams. Bessiecolemanaviationallstars.org
To learn more about the U.S. Mint Quarter Programs visit their website – USMint.gov
Bessie Coleman earned her license on June 15, 1921. Her dream came true and she continues to inspire us today, over 100 years later.
On April 30, 1926, with almost enough money saved to open her school. She had a fatal air accident. Bessie was performing in a May Day exhibition in Orlando, Florida, for the Negro Welfare League. At 7:30 p.m. Bessie, accompanied by her mechanic and publicity agent, William Wills, took her plane up for a test flight. Wills had taken the plane up on a test flight a week earlier and had landed twice because of engine trouble. Mechanical problems with the aircraft caused it to sputter and dive. Bessie, not wearing any protective gear, fell from the airplane.
After her death Willa Brown, who had been inspired by Bessie, opened the first flying school for blacks and that school was responsible for the primary training of the men of the 99th Pursuit Squadron, one of the most highly decorated all-black fighter squadrons in World War II.
She returned to the United States with her air-pilot license from the Federation Aeronautique International as the first international licensed black pilot in the world. Having reached her first goal, she set a new one.
“I decided blacks should not have to experience the difficulties I had faced so I decided to open a flying school and teach other black women to fly. I needed money for this so I began giving flying exhibitions and lecturing on aviation. The color of my skin, at first a drawback, now drew large crowds wherever I went. At first I was a curiosity, but soon the public discovered I could really fly. Then they came to see “Brave Bessie,” as they called me.”
-Bessie Coleman
Photos
Photo usage courtesy of the Coleman family
You can find the recently released Bessie Coleman doll online or at your local department stores.
Check your pockets or your sofa cushions for the Bessie Coleman quarter. The first one released in 2023 by U.S. Mint as part of their Women Quarters Program.
Click here for the first episode of 2022 featuring Maya Angelou.
Photo – U.S. Mint
U.S. Mint State Quarters are the inspiration! It all started with Travel With Annita back when we were Travel Bags With Annita. Each year a new theme is selected for programing as a way to keep content interesting, fresh and new.
Inspired by the U.S. Mint State Quarters, Quarter Miles Travel was born out of a desire to focus on travel around the US, inspired by the designs on the reverse side (back) of the U.S. Mint State Quarters. Our first quarter was the Georgia design, featuring the peach. We were amazed from our research the information we found to feature about Georgia, our home state. Information that neither Olivia or myself was aware of. This energized us even more to find more information – about things we thought we already knew. From there, we started featuring a quarter or two each show. The fourth segment of the show became, the “fourth quarter” where the U.S. Mint State Quarters designs were researched for information to tell the stories of the designs and why each state would select them.
Olivia Varnson was by my side researching and recording the show. We also sailed on the Victory Chimes sailboat which is featured on the reverse side of the Maine quarter. The U.S. Mint State Quarters feature historic places, people, wildlife all things you can travel to visit and learn more.
Take a listen to the start of this fascinating podcast highlighting all the makes America a great place to visit and tour. The U.S. Mint State Quarters program was followed by The America The Beautiful Commemorative Quarters and the American Women Program, which is being released now.
Here’s a link to start listening and find your favorite. You’ll see how a U.S. Mint State Quarter can inspire travel around this beautiful country.
For more information about the U.S. Mint State and Commemorative Quarters, visit their website – USMint.gov
Photo- U.S. Mint
Nina Otero Warren – Women Nina was a leader in New Mexico’s suffrage movement, the first woman to be superintendent of Santa Fe public schools, Chairman of New Mexico’s Board of Health, an executive board member of the American Red Cross and director of an adult literacy program in New Mexico for the Works Projects Administration.
Nina has a long list of leadership accomplishments as an activists for Hispanic people.
And, today she is the fifth woman featured on a quarter in the American women quarter program
On this podcast I tell her story.
Born María Adelina Isabel Emilia Otero on October 23, 1881 on her family’s hacienda, “La Constancia,” near Los Lunas, New Mexico.
She was born into a prominent political family where Her parents, Manuel B. Otero and Eloisa Luna could trace their lineages to the early Spanish colonizers in the area.
At an early age she experienced the loss of her father who was killed by a squatter trying to settle on her family’s land.
The loss of her father had a great impact on her and the family. Her mother remarried in 1886. And, Nina stepped in to help take care of her younger siblings
She attended St. Vincent’s Academy in Albuquerque and Maryville College of the Sacred Heart (now Maryville University) in St. Louis.
However home was never far away…… always on her mind and in her heart. She returned to the family’s hacienda to help care for her younger siblings. She helped educate her siblings and contributed to the work on the family ranch — later when she wrote her book …. These were the experiences she recorded in her book, Old Spain in Our Southwest.
She became interested in activism In 1897, when her family moved to Santa Fe. It was there where her cousin, Miguel Otero II, became the governor of the New Mexico Territory and appointed her stepfather as a judicial clerk.
Now as an adult she was called Nina. Living in Santa Fe, she was around many people who inspired her as she socialized among the political and cultural elite of Santa Fe.
Nina met Rawson D. Warren, an officer in the Fifth U.S. Cavalry stationed at Fort Wingate. She married Warren on June 25, 1908 becoming….Nina Otero-Warren, the name she carries for the life and how we know her. She was 26 years old.
After their Santa Fe wedding, Nina and Rawson moved to Fort Wingate. Unhappy in her marriage, Nina divorced her husband after only two years, and returned to Santa Fe.
During that time, there were many attitudes prejudices against divorced women at the time, She decided to identify as a widow and continued to use her hyphenated name.
In 1912 Nina moved to New York City to help and support her brother who was studying at Columbia University. While there, she worked in the settlement house movement. Another opportunity to strengthen her fight for her people.
When her mother passed in 1914, and she decided to move back to Santa Fe
During her life Otero-Warren was very accomplished in many areas:
Always emphasized the use of the Spanish language in the suffrage fight in order to reach Hispanic women.
She also spearheaded the lobbying effort to ratify the 19th Amendment in New Mexico.
Otero-Warren believed in education and worked to improve education for all New Mexicans
Advancing and preserving bicultural education and cultural practices among the state’s Hispanic and Native American communities was very important to her.
In 1917, Otero-Warren was appointed superintendent of public schools in Santa Fe. She defeated a male opponent to win reelection to the position in 1918 and remained in the role until 1929.
Her focus as superintendent was to promote adult education programs, setting up a county high school, raising teacher standards and their salaries, and improving the physical conditions of schools.
It was undeniable that she held a strong sense of pride in her Spanish cultural heritage and made major efforts to oppose the federal government’s trend toward assimilating non-Anglos into white America.
During this time, the federal government was pressuring for assimilation of non-whites, including Native American and Hispano people, into white America. This assimilation meant loss of traditional language, customs, and often family ties. As Superintendent of Public Schools, Nina worked to balance the demands of the federal government.
Nina Otero Warren rgued that both Spanish and English be allowed in schools, despite the federal mandate of English-only. For a few years beginning in 1923, she was also appointed Santa Fe County’s Inspector of Indian Schools.
Not only public schools, She also served as Santa Fe’s County Inspector of Indian Schools. Without surprise, she was critical of the federal government and the poor condition of the schools. Her greatest argument was that the boarding schools threatened Indian family life and cultural stability.
Along with Alice Paul, who had supported Nina in 1917 to head the New Mexico chapter of the Congressional Union (precursor to the National Woman’s Party). Nina and other activists realized that the support of Hispanic culture and language in New Mexico was crucial to winning suffrage.
She also served as chair of the New Mexico Republican State Committee’s women’s division and as chair of the Legislative Committee of the New Mexico Federation of Women’s Clubs. And served as the Chairman of New Mexico’s Board of Health; an executive board member of the American Red Cross; and director of an adult literacy program in New Mexico for the Works Projects Administration.
Nina Otero Warren used her political connections and leverage to campaign for woman’s suffrage and to forcefully lobby the state legislature to ratify the 19th Amendment, which it did on February 21, 1920.
She did run for federal office, for the U.S. House of Respresentatives….However, she lost the general election by fewer than 10,000 votes.
It is said in part due to the public’s discovery that she was divorced rather than widowed. And, being divorce was not looked upon as acceptable at that time. And, she never rang for public office again.
However, that didn’t stop her from her work as an ativists.
Nina Otero-Warren American Women Quarter Program is featured on the quarters because of her activism. She served as New Mexico’s director of literacy education for the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s and director of the Works Progress Administration in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico in the 1940s.
During World War II, she ran the Santa Fe County Office of Price Administration, charged with enforcing the federal government’s price controls.
With such a powerful way of leading and accomplishing civil rights for Hispanic people, you might wonder what was the woman like…. What was her personality.
Nina became a regular fixture in the social life of the Santa Fe elite,
She was described as “a graceful, intelligent young woman with an indomitable disposition,” and “high spirited and independent.”
Throughout her life, Nina was known both for her proper, mannered expectations of others and her unconventional personal life.
Although she never remarried or had children of her own, she took her role as “La Nina” or godmother to her siblings, nieces and nephews, and arguably to her community very serious. Each relationship was very important to her.
In the early 1930s, Nina Otero Warren and her partner Mamie Meadors established a ranch called “Las Dos” (The Two Women)
Outside of Santa Fe. They paid $67.40 for two homestead applications, and agreed to spend an average of five months a year living on their homestead, and to improve the land by building two houses, fencing the property which was around 1,257 acres), cultivating the land, and maintaining the road for five years.
By adhering to and meeting the homesteading requirements, of the Homesteading Act of 1862, they received title to the land.
In 1947, Nina Otero Warren and Mamie established a real estate and insurance company, also called “Las Dos” in Santa Fe. She and Meadors established Las Dos Realty and Insurance Company in 1947
Mamie died in 1951, but Nina continued running the business. Neither woman ever publicly announced the details of their relationship. What was known by everyone that they loved what they were doing and working together for over twenty years to achieve.
To capture her full life on paper and share it with the world, Nina starting writing and published “My People” for an issue of Survey Graphic. The them was Mexicans in our Midst: newest and Oldest Settlers of the Southwest” In May 1931.
In the early 1960’s Nina moved back to the family property in Santa Fe after the death of her brother. It was there where Nina died on January 3, 1965.
Otero-Warren, known in the state as a dedicated and skilled public servant, who fought for culture, tradition, laugnuage, education, health and welfare during her lifetime. She is an outstanding American woman.
The Nina Otero-Warren Quarter is the fourth coin in the American Women Quarters™ Program. And, this is her story.
For more information and to visit places where you can learn more about Nina Otero Warren, visit the website below:
National Park Service – nps.gov
National Women’s History Museum – Washington DC – womenshistory.org
Albuquerque library – ABQlibrary.org
Photos
Ready to hear about another outstanding American Woman? Here are story of Wilma Mankiller
Photo – U.S. Mint
Anna May Wong is on the U.S. Mint Women Series quarter.
In the early 1920’s acting roles for Asian Americans were limited. Hollywood was yet to have roles with leading ladies who looked like Anna May Wong.
But, that didn’t stop her….. There is a story of a courages woman, who advocated for representation for multi-dimensional roles for Asian Americans.
Anna May Wong would not stop… it would be her life’s journey and it is also her story…. And today I share her story with you.
Anna May Wong was an American actress, the first Chinese American movie star, and the first Asian American to become an international star. Her long and varied career spanned both silent and sound film, television, stage, and radio.
Her life and love of film began early…. She always loved film.
Anna May Wong was a third generation immigrant, born on January 3rd, 1905. Her grandfather emigrated to the US in the 1850s to find work and raise his family. It was at Anna May’s parent’s laundromat where she learned Chinese after school …. but even at an early age, learning a language wasn’t what was mostly on her mind. She felt her time was best spent skipping school for film.
As early as nine years old, she was fascinated with movies and film. Visiting sets often to look and take it all in, she dreamed of her day as a movie star as the actors, producers and directors would go about their routines.
Anna May once said “I would worm my way through the crowd and get close to the cameras.” Wong said. “I’d stare at these glamorous individuals and then I would rush home and do the scenes I had witnessed before a mirror.”
The curiosity and learning from being close up to the action, gave the young 14 year old Anna May, the opportunity for her first role in 1919 as an extra in Red Lantern, a story of family drama, of loss and deceit, the film gave her a chance to share her talent and experience working in film.
Her early films were silent, but her talent would shine through for all to see. Her style, elegance and expression of emotions showed her acting and performance strengths and skills. Wanting to put all of her efforts into an acting career, Anna May left high school in 1921 at the age of 16 to pursue a career in film. She would devote her time and effort full time to becoming an actress.
She was successful in finding a role in Bits of Life where she played Toy Ling’s wife and when she was 17 she was the leading lady in the silent film The Toll of the Sea in 1922.
Sadly, even with all of this success, America and Hollywood was not
Her drive to become a recognizable and successful leading actress Wong auditioned for countless lead roles but found herself landing only supporting character or the typical Asian character many times in a stereotypical character.
Times were very racially segregated in more areas than just film and theatre. During this time in America there was discrimination and lack of opportunities in many parts of everyday life. And, The mindset toward Asian migration at the time was negative in every way. Seeking of leading roles in a field so highly sought after by all races, it was no wonder she had difficulty finding leading roles. Laws at the time not only prevented interracial marriages, but it also forbade the kissing of interracial actors on screen. Because the majority of actors, especially leading ones, were white, Wong could never get into a leading romantic role either.
“There seems little for me in Hollywood,” Wong once said l. “because rather than real Chinese, producers prefer Hungarians for Chinese roles. Pathetic dying seemed to be the best thing I did.”
Her will and dedication to achieving her dream and goal was not stopped by lack of opportunities. She decided to move to Europe and try her chances there. Prior to moving there she created her own production company.
She left for Europe in the late 1920s, and gained success starring in several notable plays and films. Europe was much more welcoming for an young Asia woman, talented and driven to be successful and make a name for her self. She starred in films around Europe – Paris, Berlin, London…. Evening going so far as to learn French and German . She starred in Piccadilly. She spent the first half of the 1930s traveling between the United States and Europe for film and stage work. Wong was featured in films of the early sound era, such as Daughter of the Dragon and Daughter of Shanghai, and with Marlene Dietrich in Josef von Sternberg’s Shanghai Express when she returned to the states.
Wow… she was definitely finding great roles to show her love of acting and bringing her characters to life. But, what she didn’t forget were the struggles she faced in America to become an actress.
She wanted to be a role model and leader in bringing awareness to other Asian – American in a positive light and also to be given the opportunity to pursue their dreams too. Wong was a very courageous advocate who Asian American actors. She would gladly put forth her influence to championed for increased representation and more multi-dimensional roles for Asian American actors.
She herself would refuse roles which where harmful to her identify and that of Asian Americans. Her persistence and defiance to stand up to those who wanted her to play roles that would deminish Asian American helped pave the way for others to break into film and be accepted for who they were and not a characturture or sterotype.
Wong created her own film after that hiring a cinematographer and filmed a documentary of her travels in China in 1936.
She went on to become the first Asian American to lead a US television show on The Gallery of Madame Liu-Tsong in the 1950s. Wong is most well-known for her leading role in “The Toll of the Sea” in 1922.
She also raised money for Chinese refugees during World War II.
In 1960, Wong was awarded her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame the first Asian American to receive this honor
She was slated to appear in Flower Drum Song by Rodgers and Hammerstein in 1961.
However, the phenomenal actress suffered a heart attack and died on February 3rd, 1961.
She did receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, one year before she died. It is heartwarming to know she was able to see the recognition honoring her accomplishments.
It take fortatude and tenacity to stand up for what you believe in the face of those who want to diminish you. Anna May Wong, never wavered…. She took monumental step in standing up for not only herself but for other Asians and Asian Americans by carefully choosing her roles and filming her documentary created not only a path for actors in the future, but for people to look past differences and try to respect if not try to understand someone different from themselves.
Anna May Wong… an american legend.
She is featured on the four quarter of the U.S. Mint American Women Series.
And, this is her story.
For more information about the U.S. Mint Commemorative Quarters click here.
Photo – U.S. Mint
Today it’s West Virginia State Quarter. It was released in 2005. The design on the reverse side of the quarter or the tail side, shows the New River and the New River Gorge Bridge which showcases the state’s natural beauty and the scenic views of the gorge located a few miles. north of Fayetteville, West Virginia. The bridge was build in 1977 to span across the New River Gorge. Before the bridge was constructed, people in the area had to make their way along winding curves on a forty-minute drive down and back up again.
October draws thousands of visitors to the area for Bridge Day. On the third Saturday in October travelers and visitors to the Fayetteville area have a chance to go on and leap off the bridge. This only happens during this time. The bridge has become so popular it is a destination in its own right.
The West Virginia state quarter is the 35th coin released in the 50 State Quarters Programs. And the 5th released in 2005. The state of West Virginia was admitted into the Union on June 20, 1863.
The quarter is featured on this episode in our Two Bits segment. Did you know that the quarter is also called two bits? Well, that’s based on the division of the Spanish peso. A bit back in time. But, quarters are still sometimes called two bits. There’s a lot of history in coins and trivia too.
Quarter Miles was first introduced on the radio show, Travel With Annita, Annita Thomas and Olivia Varnson shared trivia information about the state quarters and their designs. They featured the quarters and all the information inspiring listeners to plan and organize trips based on the quarter designs.
Here’s a bit of trivia and facts on how you can visit West Virginia and experience this state’s natural beauty.
To plan a trip to places mentioned go to:
State Park -nps.gov/neri
For more information on the U.s. Mint State and Comemoriatve quarters visit the website USMint.gov
Don’t forget to hit the subscribe button… it only take a second. And, you’ll be first in line for new episodes.
Here’s another Two Bits episode about the great state of Hawaii.
Photo credit – U.S. Mint
Notable Facts:
Early Life:
Native Work:
Recognition:
Other Facts:
Quotes/Thoughts on Native People:
Possible Interviews:
References:
U.S. Mint Photo
Sally Ride Quarter American Women Series is here!
She was the first American woman in space.
The excitement around her accomplishments and firsts as an American Woman Astronaut created a lively saying as she prepared for her first orbit in space – all of America was saying “Ride, Sally, Ride…
Sally Ride’s life is an inspiration to not only young girls wanting to follow in her footsteps, but she is an American legend – who has made our country proud, and on this episode of Quarter Miles Travel, I tell her story.
America knows her as our beloved first female astronaut. Her love of science was a life long. She was always interested in science, which was supported and encouraged by her parents. As a child she would ask for science-related gifts – telescopes, chemistry sets, and a subscription to the Scientific American magazine. It’s no wonder that she would grow up to make such significant achievements in science and stand out as an American icon.
On the second quarter of the American Women’s Series of the U.S. Mint Commemorative quarters Sally Ride
She is on the reverse side or tails side of the quarter. Her bright smile and enthusiastic spirit shines through in the design. The reverse or (tails side of the quarter) depicts Dr. Sally Ride next to a window on the space shuttle with a diagram of earth. The design is an inspiration of a quote by her, “But when I wasn’t working, I was usually at a window looking down at Earth.”
How much do you know about the woman who looked out her window, dreaming of being in space and one day there she was walking to the shuttle, ready to board and ride, sally, ride.
Life & Hobbies:
She even won the Eastern Collegiate Tennis Tournament during her first year of college. While attending Stanford, Sally taught tennis at a summer camp in Lake Tahoe. And, played an exhibition doubles game against tennis champion Billie Jean King when she visited the camp in 1972. King told Sally that if she worked hard, she could become a pro player. Of course Sally had other things on her mind.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Physics and English, her Master’s degree in Physics, and her Ph.D. in Physics – all from Stanford University.
When she was young, she was an avid fan of the LA Dodgers baseball team and dreamed of one day becoming their shortstop.
Love Life:
NASA Career:
After her career with NASA:
Sally was recognized for her accomplishments and service to youth, and the American community with many Awards:
Sally gave so much to the field of science and left a legacy of reaching for the moon for little girls for years to come. And, not just little girls, and not just space. Her story inspires us all to set our goals above the clouds and set out to reach them, one star at a time.
Visit the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum to learn more about her.
Check out the website – airandspace.si.edu
To learn more about the U.S. Mint American Women’s quarter Series and their Commemorative quarters, visit the website – USMint.gov
Information for this podcast was researched at
NASA.gov
Sally Ride Science at Univ. Cal. San Diego
NBC News
UC San Diego
Maya Angelou was the first American women featured on the new U.S. Mint Quarter series – American Women Series. Click here to listen
Thanks for listening to the Sally Ride episode on Quarter Miles Travel
Remember to click the subscribe button so you’ll be first in line for the next episode. And, check your pockets or your sofa cushions where you might just find a quarter waiting for you to flip it over. And Quarter Miles Travel Will take it from there – We’ll help you turn that quarter, into an adventure.
References:
Photo – U.S. Mint
Quarter Miles Travel Hawaii State Quarter is all about the monarch history of the state. We capture it all in our Two Bits segment of Quarter Miles Travel
Show Transcript
Quarter Miles was first introduced on my radio show Travel With Annita, along with Olivia Varnson we shared information about the state quarters in the 4th quarter or last segment of the show. Over the next couple of Quarter Miles – Two Bits I’ll share some of the segments from our first shows featuring the quarters and all the information inspiring you to plan and organize trips based on the quarter designs. After all – when you check your pockets or your sofa cushions you may just find a quarter Waiting for you.
Flip it over and Quarter Miles Travel Will take it from there
Here’s two bits of trivia about the Hawaii quarter which was first produced and issued in 2008.
Hawaii is our 50th state, which joined the Union on August 21, 1959.
Replacing the eagle on the reverse side of the quarter is a design which Depicts revered monarch King Kamehameha who unified Hawaii and led social and economic change
Nicknamed “the Aloha State,” the Hawaii state quarter was the last coin honoring one of the 50 states.
During our discussion of Hawaii’s state quarter, Doc Bill joins Olivia and I and shared some of his personal experiences visiting Hawaii. We also shared several options for learning more about Hawaii’s history and places to travel, explore and have an adventure filled with sunshine, great surfs and picturist landscapes.
Here’s the segment where Olivia, Doc Bill and I talk about Hawaii’s state quarter, it’s dynamic history and things you can see and do
The U.S. Mint State and commemorative quarters are our national pride, highlighting all what makes American the beautiful. From national parks to historic sites, to hometown heroes, plants and wildlife…. You’ll find it all ready for you to explore on the back of a quarter.
To plan a trip to places mentioned during this Quarter Miles – Two Bits, visitgohawaii.com or for tours Robertshawaii.com
For more information on the U.S. Mint State and Commemorative quarters Vist U.S.Mint. gov
Don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll be first in line to receive new episodes.
And, while you’re waiting for the next episode, reach in your pocket and pull out and quarter… flip it over and quarter miles travel will take it from there. We’ll turn that quarter into an adventure.
Hawaii State Quarter Info and Adventure inspired by the design on the quarter.
Check out the Quarter Miles Episode 14 featuring the Maryland State Quarter
Photos
Palace
The Iolani Palace is open for tours.
Early telephone was unique to the palace
Cultural designs are seen throughout the palace
Palace dining area
Beautiful scenery on Maui
A Hawaiian sunset. Beautiful on either of the islands.
Photo – U.S. Mint
Sweetgrass Baskets – South Carolina Quarter have something in common. Both carry the legacy of a people and their culture; from the West Coast of Africa to the South Carolina Low Country. Each Palmetto frond woven into a row of a Sweetgrass baskets holds the culture, traditions, values and strength of the Gullah people of South Carolina.
There are traditions and cultural norms passed down from generation to generation. We often call it their legacy. The definition of a legacy according to Britannica is “something that happened in the past or that comes from someone in the past.”
Well the word legacy is used very often to acknowledge ways of life, traditions, and significant things people did that are carried on and honored by people living their lives today.
I often use the word legacy to acknowledge the long-lasting impact and influence of events, actions or traditions passed from generation to generation; those things that help define a culture.
And, what is a culture? I’ve always loved the definition of my professor of International studies’ Dr. Milton Bennett- “the learned and shared values, beliefs, and behaviors of a community of interacting people” Culture includes language, food, dress, music, arts, literature, and the group’s customs, beliefs, attitudes, and the values of the interacting people.
Culture and traditions can be passed on as a legacy not only from generation to generation, but also from country to country.
Corey Alston holds sweetgrass and a basket he is sewing.
On this podcast I feature the sweetgrass baskets – from West Africa to South Carolina – I tell their story with the help and knowledge from Corey Alston, a speaker, Sweetgrass Basket Weaver, Gullah historian and culture representative. Corey shares his story, the story of his family, and the history of Gullah Basket Weavers.
The story of a basket is not always what we think of as having a strong legacy; one that binds cultures, struggles, triumphs, traditions in work done by a people, as well as their cultural art. A simplicity of beauty that reaches far beyond the beautiful craft, to a people who have sustained some of the hardest conditions placed on men and women -to be enslaved. To be taken from their homeland, their country and family, but what could not be taken is a tradition that has lived on from generation to generation, passed from family member to family member – the Sweetgrass basket is a testament to that strength and legacy.
U.S. Mint Photo
On the reverse or tail side of the South Carolina State Quarter released in 2000, you’ll find an outline of the state which is also called “The Palmetto State” with four symbols, a star representing Columbia, the state’s capital, a Palmetto tree, the Carolina Wren – the state bird, and the Yellow Jessamine.
It is a story of the Palmetto tree that we will share on this episode. The Palmetto State, is known for it’s Palmetto trees. And, that tree is part of the tradition of Sweetgrass baskets.
But let’s start at the beginning because the baskets are not called Palmetto baskets, they are called Sweetgrass baskets. I had a long and educational conversation with Corey Alston where he shares information about the history of sweetgrass baskets, the traditions and the legacy.
Listen to our conversation – Sweetgrass Baskets and South Carolina Quarter
Contact Corey for one of his Sweetgrass baskets
After listening I’m sure you will be ready to plan a trip to Charleston and meet Corey. To start planning your trip to Charleston visit the website – explorecharleston.com
When visiting Charleston, make sure to visit the historic plantations, where the skilled and knowledgable enslaved Africans worked and passed on the traditions that you can still find in the Charleston City Market and along Highway 17 in Mount Pleasant.
To learn more about the U.S. Mint and their commemorative quarters programs, visit the website – USMint.Gov
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For more Quarter Miles Stories
Reach in your pocket, or your sofa cushion and you’ll find a quarter waiting for you to explore. Flip it over and Quarter Miles Travel will take it from there; we’ll help you turn that quarter into an adventure.
Photos
Corey is surrounded by basked he has made as he works on another creation. Photo – Corey Alston
Fanner baskets were used in the processing of rice on the Antebellum plantations. Corey mentions that these baskets were mostly woven by women and used to clean, and chaff harvested rice. By the early 1800’s, grain cleaning mills, known as winnowing houses largely replaced Fanner baskets. Although the baskets remained an important part of plantation work-life and daily routines. Today Fanner baskets are considered prized collector’s items, especially those that are preserved from use by enslave Africans. Sweetgrass baskets – once agricultural tools – today an artistic symbol of pride, legacy and culture. Photo – Corey Alston
Fanner baskets like the one Corey is holding were used by enslave African who worked on the Southern plantations, in particular the rice plantations. West Africans who knew how to plant, cultivate and harvest rice were especially valued by plantation owners. They not only brought the knowledge of cultivating rice from West Africa, but also knowledge and skills to make woven baskets. These shallow baskets were made of coils of Bulrush grass and used to remove the rice grains from the husks. This process happened after the rice was pounded in a a large wooden mortar with a large pole pestle to loosen the husk and chaff from the grains of raw rice. Afterwards rice grains were placed in Fanner baskets and tossed in the air from sometimes from one basket into another or tossed in a single basket. As the wind blew, the chaffs would blow away. The original Fanner were larger than most you’ll find today. Some were more than three feet or more in diameter. Modern Fanner baskets are made with Sweetgrass and Palmetto fronds and are considered very valuable art work and a sense of price, tradition and legacy of the Gullah and Geechee culture along the Low Country region of the Carolinas and Georgia. The area is part of the National Park Service Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor which includes the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida. Photo – Corey Alston
Photo on left of wooden mortar and pestle from West Africa and on the right a photo taken shortly after slavery with women pounding grain. The rice was pounded to remove the hard outer husk and transferred to the Fanner baskets for chaffing. Photo – Cookbook – The Foods From Georgia’s Barrier Islands.
Photo from the Cookbook – The Foods From Georgia’s Barrier Islands. The photos show scenes of a woman with a Fanner basket willowing rice, workers in a rice field, Carolina Gold Rice up-close, and a group of enslaved workers photographed outside of a building.
Corey’s baskets shows how the craft has become a beautiful and highly prized and sought after art form. Photo – Corey Alston
Baskets are made today can also include pine needles for color and contrast adding to the artist beauty. The Palmetto tree can be seen in the background. Photo – Corey Alston
The beauty and artistry of weaving Sweetgrass and Palmetto fonds has lead to the creation of wearable art. Photo – Corey Alston
You can find Corey and his sister Carlene at the Charleston City Market with a large selection of baskets. He also makes custom baskets. Photo – Corey Alston
Be on the lookout for Corey’s picture. He is a very highly regarded and valued part of Charleston’s story and Gullah culture, and history. Photo – Corey Alston
Photo – U.S. Mint
Ohio State Quarter, released in 2002 features an antique model airplane and astronauts highlighting the state is a celebration of aviation and space travel. This podcast shares the stories of Ohio’s native sons and their exploration of aviation and space travel.
On this episode we have two bits of trivia about the Ohio quarter which was first produced and issued in 2002 on March 11. It was the second quarter released in 2002 and released in the order Ohio was admitted into the Union; which was in 1803.
Take a look – Replacing the eagle on the reverse side of the quarter is a design of an early model airplane with the inscription – Birthplace of Aviation Pioneers, highlighting the state’s contribution to the history of aviation. Also featured is an astronaut superimposed as a group outlining the state.
During our discussion of Ohio’s state quarter, we shared several options for learning more about Ohio’s native sons and places to travel, explore and have an adventure.
Adventure can be found on the reverse of a quarter. A diagram can take you to places you may not have thought of visiting and Quarter Miles is ready to take you there.
After listening to the podcast you’ll be ready to plan a visit to the Ohio sites mentioned in the podcast. Visit the website – Ohio.org
To learn more about the U.S. Mint Commemorative and state quarters visit the website – USMint.gov
Don’t forget to subscribe so you’ll be first in line to receive new episodes.
And, while you’re waiting for the next episode, reach in your pocket and pull out and quarter, flip it over and quarter miles travel will take it from there. We’ll turn that quarter into an adventure.
Listen to more Quarter Miles – Two Bits – Utah State Quarter
The podcast currently has 35 episodes available.