A Ten Dollar Achievement for Fresno's Mother
by The Editor
WASHINGTON, DC- It's a cold Wednesday morning in February as Jack Lew ascends the steps of the US Treasury Building. Lew, who is 60, became the 76th Secretary of the Treasury in 2013 and appears to be born to the role. He wears large glasses, an ill-fitting suit, and a haircut that straddles the line between prim and floppy; all of this giving the aura of a man who is more concerned with finances than his personal appearance. The thick rubber soles of his Nunn Bush's smack the pristine steps as he makes his way to work for the day. By all accounts, this could be any other day of work for Lew. But today---this brisk February day---Lew is set to announce what will certainly be the defining achievement of his tenure. He will announce that, for the first time in more than 100 years, a woman will be featured on the face of US currency.
And that woman is Fresno Mayor Ashley "Swearbear" Swearengin.
----------------
Lew and I sit in his office as we wait for the press conference to begin. He makes, what I assume to be, the usual chit chat with those around his office. He asks his assistant about her husband who is in the hospital, and then, "Marjorie, will you get Mr. Editor and I some coffee and the financial section please." The whole thing seems to be a bit about-face. I turn on my tape recorder.
"So, how are you feeling about today?" I ask.
"Oh, big day, big day. But I'm fine." He hurriedly answers.
"Can I ask, 'Why Swearbear?' I mean, isn't it one of the rules that the person be dead? Swearbear is still very much alive and still in office. She could screw things up really bad and then you'd be stuck with a loser on your bill."
"No, no. Not going to happen. It's Swearbear. She's an American hero. She's done so much for Fresno, and we all know here in Washington that Fresno is the most important city in the whole world."
"True dat," I agree. "But some people thought you were going to use Harriet Tubman. She's pretty cool, right?"
"Of course, of course. No one said anything against Ms. Tubman. But Swearbear got the Fulton Mall turned back into Fulton Street. That's a big accomplishment. I mean...amiright?"
Marjorie brings in our coffee. He takes a huge gulp from his porcelain cup and cries out in pain.
"Ooo! Hot! Aw nertz, I've burned my tongue!"
He runs out of the room for about 5 minutes before coming back in.
"Sorry about that," he says. "You won't include that in your article, will you?"
"Of course not."
----------------
It finally comes time for the press conference. We make our way back to the steps where our day began. He places himself near the middle of the steps with the great columns of the treasury behind him and I join the rest of the press who begin to crowd around him.
"Today, we honor not just a woman but all women. I'm proud to announce...The Swearbear $10 Bill!"
The hordes of press gasp with excitement and it's as if an electrical current is flowing through us. Someone begins to chant, "Swearbear! Swearbear! Swearbear!" and before we knew it we are all chanting it.
Swearbear had already stolen our hearts, but in this moment it becomes apparent that she has also stolen our souls.
And we couldn't be happier about it.
The new US $10 bill featuring the beloved Swearbear
WASHINGTON, DC- It's a cold Wednesday morning in February as Jack Lew ascends the steps of the US Treasury Building. Lew, who is 60, became the 76th Secretary of the Treasury in 2013 and appears to be born to the role. He wears large glasses, an ill-fitting suit, and a haircut that straddles the line between prim and floppy; all of this giving the aura of a man who is more concerned with finances than his personal appearance. The thick rubber soles of his Nunn Bush's smack the pristine steps as he makes his way to work for the day. By all accounts, this could be any other day of work for Lew. But today---this brisk February day---Lew is set to announce what will certainly be the defining achievement of his tenure. He will announce that, for the first time in more than 100 years, a woman will be featured on the face of US currency.
And that woman is Fresno Mayor Ashley "Swearbear" Swearengin.
----------------
Lew and I sit in his office as we wait for the press conference to begin. He makes, what I assume to be, the usual chit chat with those around his office. He asks his assistant about her husband who is in the hospital, and then, "Marjorie, will you get Mr. Editor and I some coffee and the financial section please." The whole thing seems to be a bit about-face. I turn on my tape recorder.
"So, how are you feeling about today?" I ask.
"Oh, big day, big day. But I'm fine." He hurriedly answers.
"Can I ask, 'Why Swearbear?' I mean, isn't it one of the rules that the person be dead? Swearbear is still very much alive and still in office. She could screw things up really bad and then you'd be stuck with a loser on your bill."
"No, no. Not going to happen. It's Swearbear. She's an American hero. She's done so much for Fresno, and we all know here in Washington that Fresno is the most important city in the whole world."
"True dat," I agree. "But some people thought you were going to use Harriet Tubman. She's pretty cool, right?"
"Of course, of course. No one said anything against Ms. Tubman. But Swearbear got the Fulton Mall turned back into Fulton Street. That's a big accomplishment. I mean...amiright?"
Marjorie brings in our coffee. He takes a huge gulp from his porcelain cup and cries out in pain.
"Ooo! Hot! Aw nertz, I've burned my tongue!"
He runs out of the room for about 5 minutes before coming back in.
"Sorry about that," he says. "You won't include that in your article, will you?"
"Of course not."
----------------
It finally comes time for the press conference. We make our way back to the steps where our day began. He places himself near the middle of the steps with the great columns of the treasury behind him and I join the rest of the press who begin to crowd around him.
"Today, we honor not just a woman but all women. I'm proud to announce...The Swearbear $10 Bill!"
The hordes of press gasp with excitement and it's as if an electrical current is flowing through us. Someone begins to chant, "Swearbear! Swearbear! Swearbear!" and before we knew it we are all chanting it.
Swearbear had already stolen our hearts, but in this moment it becomes apparent that she has also stolen our souls.
And we couldn't be happier about it.
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