By Riley Karbon, Field Intern
Coming from humble beginnings on a Maui sugar plantation, Patsy Mink rose to become the first Asian American woman and first woman of color ever elected to Congress as a United States Representative for Hawaii. Winning her seat in 1965, Mink spent the four decades of her political career championing the rights of women, minorities, children, and the environment.
The trend of firsts tended to follow Mink throughout her life. After being rejected from every medical school she applied to, Mink was accepted to the University of Chicago Law School. After graduating, she and her husband moved back to Hawaii, where she became the first woman of Japanese ancestry to practice law.
Using her law skills to launch an impressive campaign, Mink was first elected to Hawaii’s House of Representatives. After proving herself as a strong politician and fierce debater, Mink quickly rose to the U.S. House, becoming a staunch advocate for marginalized groups. Perhaps her most notable accomplishment was her work on Title IX. A co-author and driving force behind the act, Mink was recognized by Congress for her efforts, and it was later renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act. Women and girls everywhere have her to thank for their increased access to education opportunities and athletics.
Congressional recognition is only one of the many ways that Mink has been celebrated for her hard work — she went on to receive many honors, including a NOW Woman of Vision award in 2002. Having passed away later that year, her legacy lives on, and progress for women will only improve with more women like Patsy Mink in Congress.