Joseph Lawler
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Ella Fitzgerald for the $10 bill

3/29/2016

1 Comment

 
PictureCarl Van Vechten via the Library of Congress
Ella Fitzgerald is the clear choice for the woman to be put on the redesigned $10 bill.

Ella was one of the greatest Americans of all time, and one of the most talented musicians ever.

Ella's singing immediately uplifts and transports anyone who hears it. That’s as true of the people like my grandmother who were fortunate enough to have heard her perform live as it is young people who have discovered her performances through records, tapes, CDs, and now digital recordings. Ella and Louis has brightened so many lives.

Not only that, but she represents jazz -- the quintessential American art form and America’s greatest artistic contribution to the world.

I’ve heard so many people independently mention Ella as one of their very favorite musicians.

I’m sorry, but I’ve never heard anyone, anywhere volunteer Eleanor Roosevelt as their favorite anything. I’m not sure she’s ever come up in conversation ever in my life except in relation to her husband, despite her accomplishments.

Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony, two of the other names that have come up in other polls regarding the $10 bill -- OK, fine.  And there are other great American women in political history. And of course there’s always Molly Pitcher, a personal favorite.

But politics is overrated.

The United Kingdom was able to get past this problem. Next year, they will publish new £10 notes featuring Jane Austen.

Picture
The British people have not had a problem with it. In fact, the more you think about it it, the bigger a no-brainer it is. If the U.K. can break out of this mental box, so can we.

Ella is our version of Jane Austen. My vote may count for nothing at the Treasury, but at least I can say it just to have it on the record: Ella belongs on the $10 bill. ​
1 Comment
Elizabeth
1/29/2017 06:37:41 pm

Catching up on your notes - a little late. Have to say, you are so right. Ella Fitzgerald's voice was one of the best. When I'm listening to jazz on the radio, not really paying attention, and suddenly I'm aware of fantastic singing. It's her.

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