Bette Midler has cheeky response to woman on the $20 bill
A female face will soon grace the $20 bill, and people on social media had quite a lot to say about it, including celebrities.
The historical woman chosen to go on the bill is Harriet Tubman, the African-American abolitionist most famous for her role in helping slaves escape through the "Underground Railroad."
And one celebrity in particular, Bette Midler, had quite a cheeky response to the news.
"The #USTreasury may replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill w/a woman. Does that mean it'll then be worth only $15.80?," she tweeted, referring to the notion women make less money than men for the same work.
The #USTreasury may replace Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill w/a woman. Does
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) April 20, 2016
that mean it'll then be worth only $15.80?
Tubman, a former slave, will be replacing Andrew Jackson, the nation's seventh president and a former slave owner.
Jackson's image will remain on the $20 bill on the reverse side, which will also showcase the White House.
Midler wasn't the only star to react to Tubman on the $20. Other celebrities chimed in too, mostly with praise.
This is incredible..... https://t.co/acHrbYDrDl
— Zendaya (@Zendaya) April 20, 2016
If the wonderful news about H. Tubman on the $20 is true, it needs to happen asap. We've waited long enough @USTreasury @MAKERSwomen
— Sophia Bush (@SophiaBush) April 20, 2016
You GO, Harriet Tubman! And #Happy420
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) April 20, 2016
Presidential candidates also weighed in on social media.
I cannot think of an American hero more deserving of this honor than Harriet Tubman. https://t.co/GL64NPrOL1
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 20, 2016
A woman, a leader, and a freedom fighter. I can't think of a better choice for the $20 bill than Harriet Tubman: https://t.co/YcsZC4ZrKg -H
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) April 20, 2016
Even new parents John Legend and Chrissy Teigen took the time to tweet about it.
howwwwww mad is andrew jackson right now
— christine teigen (@chrissyteigen) April 20, 2016
— John Legend (@johnlegend) April 20, 2016
While many praised the decision to put Tubman on the bill, other's had mixed feelings.
From America's Most Wanted to her face on America's currency. The 1850s reward for her was 1.2 million (in 2016 $). Ironic. #HarrietTubman
— Greg Carr (@AfricanaCarr) April 20, 2016
seeing Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill makes me sad. I don't think she is pleased. We can not allow a whitewashing of #HarrietTubman
— Rosa A. Clemente (@rosaclemente) April 20, 2016
My brief thoughts on Harriet Tubman's face on the $20 bill. #HarrietTubman pic.twitter.com/0qVLuszAdO
— Darnell L. Moore (@Moore_Darnell) April 20, 2016
And others, including Shonda Rhimes, simply had fun with it.
We got a $20 Freedom Mama Without the Drama of messing with the $10 Founding Father Without a Father. #hamilnerd @Lin_Manuel
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) April 20, 2016
Now, I will only carry $20s. If I have $16, I'm going to leave it home until I come up on another four. #HarrietTubman
— Charles M. Blow (@CharlesMBlow) April 20, 2016
So. Good. via @TheRepProject Instagram: https://t.co/U09yM0zwHv #HarrietTubman #WomenOn20s #RepresentationMatters pic.twitter.com/nvUTSQmDwT
— Miss Representation (@RepresentPledge) April 20, 2016
live footage of Andrew Jackson's ghost right now #BYE #HarrietTubman pic.twitter.com/zl7V6zPyIb
— Catrina (@ohcatrina) April 20, 2016
Anyone who doesn't want Harriet Tubman $20s can send them to me. I like history, I like money, and I like bilking the ideologically stupid.
— Ray Ratto (@RattoCSN) April 20, 2016
Of the decision to put Tubman on the bank note, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said it was "driven by thousands of responses we received from Americans young and old."
"You shared your thoughts about her life and her works and how they changed our nation and represented our most cherished values," Lew wrote in his letter to the American people, posted to the blogging site Medium. "Her incredible story of courage and commitment to equality embodies the ideals of democracy that our nation celebrates and we will continue to value her legacy by honoring her on our currency."