"Essie Mae Washington-Williams, who spent decades concealing her identity as the biracial daughter of the late senator Strom Thurmond, has decided to put her face on coins sold by the Confederate States Mint in South Carolina. A portion of proceeds from sales of the commemorative coins -- $575 for gold, $30 for silver, $20 for bronze -- will be contributed to scholarships, her attorney, Frank Wheaton, said in a statement yesterday.

Washington-Williams, 78, previously announced plans to explore her heritage by applying for membership in the United Daughters of the Confederacy, a group for descendants of soldiers who fought for the South in the Civil War. Her memoir, "Dear Senator," is to be published in January." (Richard Leiby, Washington Post, August 19, 2004)