"If a woman is on the $20 bill, so be it:" New Berlin students join currency campaign for women

NEW BERLIN (WITI) -- Move over Jackson, it's time for a woman on the $20 bill -- so say a growing movement of Americans. Joining the 'Women on 20's' campaign is a group of New Berlin 6th graders.

Students at Elmwood Elementary are having a lesson on the faces of U.S. currency and came to a conclusion...

"Right away they were like there's not woman on any of these bills," said Elizabeth Purse, 6th grade teacher.

So these 6th graders are putting their 2 cents in on a national movement called the 'Women on 20's' campaign. The idea is to replace Andrew Jackson with one of these 15 candidates.

"I would be excited because then women would finally get the recognition they deserve," said Helen Bartels, 6th grader.

After all, the $20 bill now has the face of a man who never wanted paper currency in the first place.

"Girls need reassurance that they can do big things too," said Bartels.

The goal is to get one of these women on the $20 bill by 2020, the centennial of the women's right to vote.

"I think everyone should have equal rights and be equal so if a women is on the $20 bill so be it," said Luka Zadrima, 6th grader.

After discussing the similarities and differences of each current face on the bills, the students were assigned to research a nominee.

"I had Rosa Parks and she was the female icon of the Civil Rights Movement," said Zadrima.

Instead of just studying history, this is the chance to help make it.

"I want them to feel like they have a say in what's going on in the world," said Purse.

March is Women's History Month and of course March Madness, so the 6th grade class is turning this project into a friendly competition with a March Madness women's bracket.

For a list of all the women and more on the campaign -- or if you'd like to cast your vote, CLICK HERE.