Chatting About Putting a Woman on the $10 Bill

Ester: Siren! Siren!

Nicole: Yes! I’m paying attention! Is this a drill? What’s going on?

Ester: They’re putting a woman on the $10 bill. Not just any woman! Some woman. A “female” even, according to the WSJ. One to be named later. Lady TK! Good old “Lady TK” is taking the place of Alexander Hamilton on the $10 bill, that’s what’s happening. Can someone please mock up an image of the ten with “Lady TK” in Alex’s place? And what lady do you think it’ll be? Lady Liberty? She’s French.

Nicole: Ha ha, the only thing worse than an unnamed woman on the $10 is an unnamed fictional woman on the $10. I mean, I suspect the usual suspects: Susan B. Anthony, Harriet Tubman, um… Betsy Ross? I hope it isn’t Betsy Ross. I don’t think it will be Chief Mankiller, though.

Ester: Betsy Ross? Hell no. If it’s going to be any Ross, please let it be Diana. And yeah, I’m with you. I doubt it’s going to be Wilma.

Nicole: I guess Susan B. Anthony already has her coin, so it won’t be her either. Has anyone put together a shortlist yet?

Ester: Well, of course, there was the Woman On The 20 shortlist. Why do you think the powers-that-be decided to go with the 10 instead, anyway? Is the 10 the equivalent of buying us off with civil unions rather than offering marriage equality? Treasury Secretary Lew insists that 10s are more circulated than 20s and are due for a redesign, so we shouldn’t take this as a slight. WE’LL SEE ABOUT THAT, LEW.

Nicole: I think it’s more like “Well, Hamilton wasn’t ever a president, so we can bump him off.” But please note that he isn’t fully disappearing. His face will still be on the bill “in a diminished way!”

Ester: Yeah, WTF. So he’ll be there lurking in a corner, making sure whatever woman gets put front and center doesn’t get hysterical and need to be rescued? Apparently Martha Washington was once on a bill. That’s fascinating. Also some people are agitating for Eleanor Roosevelt, and I would be in favor of that; but I think my vote still goes to Harriet Tubman.

Nicole: Yeah, Eleanor Roosevelt would be great, Harriet Tubman would be great. USA Today suggests Rosa Parks, who would also be great — there are so many amazing women that it is going to be HARD TO PICK JUST ONE FEMALE. “Female.” Grrrr.

Ester: More weirdness about what this bill is going to look like, from a different WSJ piece: “Hamilton’s image is about to shrink on the $10 bill. And he’ll be joined by a woman.” Oh, there’ll be shrinkage, huh? Seems like the ladies are going to have to share their new-found real estate. Good thing we’re so good at that, sharing. Playing nice. Being cool with whatever.

Nicole: Maybe if we’re like, the Cool Girl, the Cool Girl on the $10, Hamilton will finally treat us with respect. But first we have to eat a bunch of hamburgers and watch football or something. This metaphor is getting really out of control. Also, I like hamburgers.

Ester: Ha! I just had ribs for lunch. Well, a rib. I felt very American.

Nicole: YOU STOLE ADAM’S RIB, YOU WOMAN.

Ester: Damn right, and I won’t apologize for it, either. All right, last topic! We’re heading into Father’s Day weekend. Any fun plans?

Nicole: I’m going to a family reunion, so I will get to spend Father’s Day with my dad this year! I can’t remember the last year that’s actually happened. How about you?

Ester: Cute! Well, we were assertive about it this year, meaning I asked Ben early on what he’d like and then we presented Ben’s dad and his wife with the potential plans kind of as a fait accompli so, for the first time, we get to do what *he* wants this year. We’re going to have breakfast and then take Lara to the Museum of Natural History. Dinosaurs for everyone. And maybe some stars? Is almost 3 too young for the planetarium?

Nicole: Dinosaurs are awesome. I can’t remember how old I was when I first went to the planetarium; I think elementary school. Almost 3 is probably not too young, though!

Ester: Great! I will totally take your word for it. 🙂 Have fun at your family reunion! Enjoy using your male supremacy currency for as long as it lasts.

Nicole: As if I carry cash. It’s all gender-neutral debit cards for me!

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