Releases | New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs

New Mexico History Museum, United States Mint, National Women’s History Museum, and the Smithsonian’s American Women’s History Initiative Celebrate the Legacy of Santa Fe Native Nina Otero-Warren

September 19th, 2022

Santa Fe, NM – Adelina (Nina) Otero-Warren’s incredible impact on history and contribution to the suffrage movement is being nationally recognized as she becomes the fourth woman featured on the U.S. quarter as part of the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters program.   

Coinciding with the release of the coin and to celebrate her legacy, the National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative (AWHI), in partnership with the New Mexico History Museum (NMHM) and with support from the United States Mint (Mint) and with special thanks to the New Mexico State Records Center and Archives, held a series of public events on Saturday, September 17 and Sunday, September 18 in Santa Fe, NM.  

“Nina Otero-Warren knew how important it is that public officials represent the populations they serve. I am proud to lead a state where that representation really matters, and where we see that representation at every level of leadership,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Her selection as one of the women to be featured on U.S. currency is well deserved, and I hope her story serves as inspiration to Hispanic girls and women around the country to continue to ensure our voices are heard.” 

Otero-Warren, the first Hispanic woman to run for U.S. Congress and the first female superintendent of public schools in Santa Fe, was a leader in New Mexico’s women’s suffrage movement. She emphasized the necessity of using Spanish in the suffrage fight to reach Hispanic women and spearheaded the lobbying effort to ratify the 19th Amendment in New Mexico. She strove to improve education for all New Mexicans, working especially to advance bicultural education and to preserve cultural practices among the state’s Hispanic and Native American communities. Learn more here. 

The National Women’s History Museum and the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative serve as consultants to the Mint for the American Women Quarters Program. The Nina Otero-Warren Quarter is the fourth coin in the program, following Maya Angelou, Dr. Sally Ride, and Wilma Mankiller. 

About the New Mexico History Museum The New Mexico History Museum is a statewide educational resource, local landmark, and destination for anyone who wants to understand the diverse experiences of the people of New Mexico, the dynamics that have shaped our state, and the relationships that connect our region with the rest of the world. Located on the historic Santa Fe Plaza, the New Mexico History Museum campus includes the Palace of the Governors, the Pete V. Domenici Building, the Fray Angélico Chávez History Library, and the Palace of the Governors Photo Archives. Learn more at nmhistorymuseum.org.

About the National Women’s History Museum: Founded in 1996, the National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) is an innovative online museum dedicated to uncovering, interpreting, and celebrating women’s diverse contributions to society. A renowned leader in women’s history education, the Museum brings to life the countless untold stories of women throughout history, and serves as a space for all to inspire, experience, collaborate, and amplify women’s impact—past, present, and future. We strive to fundamentally change the way women and girls see their potential and power. The NWHM fills in major omissions of women in history books and K-12 education, providing scholarly content and educational programming for teachers, students, and parents. We reach more than four million visitors each year through our online content and education programming. Learn more at womenshistory.org. 

About the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative: Utilizing the Smithsonian’s diverse collections and expertise across its units, the American Women’s History Initiative (AWHI) accelerates the work of the Smithsonian to amplify and disseminate an expansive and diverse historical record of the accomplishments of American women through increased digital programming and internal/external collaborations.  AWHI is a foundational cornerstone of the newly established Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum (SAWHM) while simultaneously continuing its support of internal/Pan-SI storytelling that recovers, represents, and inserts the impact of American women’s histories.  AWHI will seek out local, national, global, and community collaborations while providing new thought leadership, engagement strategies, and support to SI.  

About the United States Mint 

Congress created the United States Mint in 1792, and the Mint became part of the Department of the Treasury in 1873. As the Nation’s sole manufacturer of legal tender coinage, the Mint is responsible for producing circulating coinage for the Nation to conduct its trade and commerce. The Mint also produces numismatic products, including proof, uncirculated, and commemorative coins; Congressional Gold Medals; silver and bronze medals; and silver and gold bullion coins. Its numismatic programs are self-sustaining and operate at no cost to taxpayers.

# # #

Nina Otero-Warren

Woman's suffragist, educator, and politician, Adelina (Nina) Otero-Warren, New Mexico, ca. 1925.

New Mexico CulturePass

Your ticket to New Mexico's exceptional Museums and Historic Sites.
From Indian treasures to space exploration, world-class folk art to awesome dinosaurs—our museums and monuments celebrate the essence of New Mexico every day.
More Info »

The wallet size version of the CulturePass showing the $30 price
An animated image of a cell phone showing various topics presented in the Encounter Culture podcast

Encounter Culture

Take a look inside the museums and historic sites of New Mexico without leaving home. Join host Charlotte Jusinski, and a variety of guest curators, artists, and exhibitors in exploring the art and culture of the state in Encounter Culture, a new podcast from the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs.

Logo and Link to Google Podcasts Logo and Link to Apple Podcasts Logo and Link to Spotify Podcasts

Featured DCA Exhibitions

A photo featuring items representing the Shadow and Light  exhibition

Shadow and Light

Shadow and Light, the inaugural exhibition at the Vladem Contemporary plays upon the famed New Mexico light which is
more »

A photo featuring items representing the Ghhúunayúkata / To Keep Them Warm: The Alaska Native Parka exhibition

Ghhúunayúkata / To Keep Them Warm: The Alaska Native Parka

Ghhúunayúkata / To Keep Them Warm explores the art of the parka, a garment made for survival in the harsh
more »

A photo featuring items representing the Protection: Adaptation and Resistance exhibition

Protection: Adaptation and Resistance

The traveling exhibition Protection: Adaptation and Resistance presents the work of more than 45 Alaska Native
more »

A photo featuring items representing the La Cartonería Mexicana / The Mexican Art of Paper and Paste exhibition

La Cartonería Mexicana / The Mexican Art of Paper and Paste

Mexican cartonería is an artform that expresses human imagination, emotion, and tradition using the
more »