Selma Burke’s iconic artwork was used to inspire one of the biggest forms of currency. It all started with a stolen sketch.
Burke received a strange call in the middle of the night in 1945. A secretary at the White House told her that the chief engraver of the U.S. mint took her drawing of former President Roosevelt. A year later, the newly designed dime came out.
Burke was consistently adamant that the engraver stole her design of Roosevelt for the dime engravement, and that she was never credited for it. “I’m so mad at that man. This has happened to so many Black people,” she said.
They may have stolen Burke’s design, but she still continued to fight for her people using her unique talents. Burke created the Woman and Child sculpture in the 1950s, which is considered a hallmark of Black motherhood. She even donated one of her art pieces in order for children of her hometown to not be banned from the use of the public library.
No coin can have the value of Burke’s impact. She reminds us that our talents are needed for our liberation. How can you add your two cents to make our community stronger?