Rep. Maloney started her career as an ESL *English as a Second Language) teacher in East Harlem. When her program was cut, her colleagues elected her as their advocate to restore funding - and she succeeded, setting an example that has extended throughout her career, first working with the NYC Department of Education and then as a legislative staffer in Albany. After gaining that experience, in 1982 she ran a long-shot challenge to an incumbent City Council Member in a district that spanned East Harlem, South Bronx, Manhattan Valley, and Carnegie Hill - and she won an improbably upset.
Congresswoman Maloney is the proud author and sponsor of the Breast Cancer Awareness Commemorative Coin Act, which was signed by President Obama on April 29, 2016. The law establishes a commemorative coin program at the U.S. Mint that has the potential to raise an estimated $8.5 million in private funds for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, the highest rated breast cancer organization in the U.S.
Coins went on sale on March 15, 2018 and were sold through December 31, 2018.
This commemorative three-coin program includes the first coin the U.S. Mint will issue in “pink gold,” a unique formula created especially in recognition of the color most closely associated with the fight against breast cancer. The Mint will also produce silver and clad coins with the design unveiled this past October. Surcharges from the coin sales will benefit BCRF to support breast cancer research and cover the costs of the program, no taxpayer dollars will be used. BCRF is the top rated breast cancer research organization in the country, with an A+ rating from Charity Watch and 4 out of 4 stars from Charity Navigator.