The prolific Cuban American singer known globally as the “Queen of Salsa,” Celia Cruz, has been selected by the U.S. Mint as the first Afro-Latina to grace an American quarter.
She joins the 2024 American Women Quarters program honoring prominent women who shaped history.
Celia Cruz’s Pioneering Musical Legacy
Over a career spanning seven decades, Celia Cruz recorded over 80 albums, earned 23 gold records and took home two Grammys plus four Latin Grammy awards.
After moving from Cuba to New York in the ’60s, her vibrant musical style and captivating stage presence made her one of the 20th century’s most influential Latin artists.
Cruz broke barriers by helping define and popularize salsa music in the U.S. and worldwide, crossing over to reach wider audiences regardless of language. She later received prestigious honors like a National Medal of Arts from the White House and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame cementing her cultural impact.
Continuing to Break New Ground
Even after her passing in 2003 at age 77, Celia Cruz continues smashing ceilings by becoming the first Afro-Latina featured on U.S. currency. The 2024 quarter design unveiled next year will depict her legacy as a Latin music queen and role model for Afro-Latino pride.
Fans and celebrities alike have reacted excitedly upon the news that Cruz will be immortalized alongside other trailblazing American women like Patsy Mink and Zitkala-Sa as a distinguished Mint honoree. Her quarter further cements Cruz’s enduring musical, cultural, and historical relevance.
Conclusion
With uncompromising artistry and energetic flair, Celia Cruz paved the way for future Latin crossover stars while championing her Afro-Latina identity.
By adorning the American quarter in 2024, Cruz adds yet another accolade to her epitomizing salsa music itself. And her legacy shall continue inspiring new generations of Latinx talent chasing their dreams.
