Patsy Mink | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii's 2nd district | |
In office September 22, 1990 – September 28, 2002 | |
Preceded by | Daniel Akaka |
Succeeded by | Ed Case |
In office January 3, 1971 – January 3, 1977 | |
Preceded by | New district |
Succeeded by | Daniel Akaka |
Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs | |
In office March 28, 1977 – May 1, 1978 | |
Preceded by | Frederick Irving |
Succeeded by | Thomas R. Pickering |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Hawaii's At Large district | |
In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1971 | |
Preceded by | Thomas Gill |
Succeeded by | District eliminated[1] |
Personal details | |
Born | Patsy Matsu Takemoto December 6, 1927 Maui, Hawaii |
Died | September 28, 2002 Honolulu, Hawaii | (aged 74)
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse(s) | John Mink |
Children | Gwendolyn 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.
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
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]