Patsy Mink

Patsy Matsu Takemoto Mink (Japanese: 竹本まつ; December 6, 1927 – September 28, 2002) was an American politician. She was the U.S. Representative for the 1st and 2nd Districts of Hawaii. Mink was the first woman of color in the U.S. Congress.

Patsy Mink
Official portrait, c. 1994
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii
In office September 22, 1990 – September 28, 2002
Preceded by	Daniel Akaka
Succeeded by	Ed Case
Constituency	2nd district
In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1977
Preceded by	Thomas Gill
Succeeded by	Daniel Akaka
Constituency	At-large Seat B (1965–1971) 2nd district (1971–1977)
Member of the Honolulu City Council from the 9th district
In office December 1, 1982 – December 1, 1986
Succeeded by	John DeSoto
3rd Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs
In office March 28, 1977 – May 1, 1978
President	Jimmy Carter
Preceded by	Frederick Irving
Succeeded by	Thomas R. Pickering
Secretary of the House Democratic Caucus
In office January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1977
Leader	Carl Albert
Preceded by	Leonor Sullivan
Succeeded by	Shirley Chisholm
Personal details
Born	Patsy Matsu Takemoto (1927-12-06)December 6, 1927 Hāmākua Poko, Hawaii Territory, U.S.
Died	September 28, 2002(2002-09-28) (aged 74) Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Resting place	National Cemetery of the Pacific
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	John Mink
Children	1
Education	Wilson College University of Nebraska–Lincoln University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (BS) University of Chicago (JD)

Early life and education

Mink was born in Paia on the island of Maui in Hawaii.^[1] She was the daughter of Japanese American parents. She was a Sansei, which means that she was the granddaughter of people born in Japan who immigrated to the US.^[2]

She graduated from the University of Hawaii and she earned a law degree from the University of Chicago.^[3]: 54

Congressional career

Mink was the first woman of color to be elected into Congress.^[4] She spent her time in Congress speaking out and writing laws related to gender equality in education. Mink was also the first woman to be an approved lawyer in the state of Hawaii.^[5] Mink founded the Oahu Young Democrats in 1954.^[5] In 1962, she finally won a seat in the Hawaii Senate.^[5]

Mink helped write the Women's Educational Equity Act which provides 30 million dollars per year to promote gender equality in schools. It also increases educational and job opportunities for women. Along with that, she was the co-writer of the Title IX law which requires public schools to provide equal and fair treatment to all genders in education.^[6] Mink was the first Asian American to run for president. During her second time in congress, Mink co-founded the Congressional Asian Pacific American Council. She also protested against the promotion of Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court after claims of sexual harassment.^[7] In 1977 she served under President Jimmy Carter as assistant secretary of state for oceans and international, environmental and scientific affairs. Mink was a member of Congress until her death in 2002.^[6]