Patsy T. Mink was a politician and congresswoman. She served as a representative to the state of Hawaii as a member of the Democratic Party. She had to confront racial and sexist prejudice when growing up in Hawaii. These obstacles never deterred her when pursuing her goals. During the 1940s racial hatred against the Japanese increased, because the US was at war with the Empire of Japan. Japanese Americans were either placed in internment camps or subject to xenophobic hatred. Even in this tense atmosphere, Patsy T. Mink graduated valedictorian from Maui High School. She was a very skilled and talent student who had dreams of a career in medicine. Mink first attended the University of Hawaii, then transferred to Wilson College in Pennsylvania. The Science program there she felt was not adequate and then made another transfer to the University of Nebraska. She would return to the University of Hawaii earning a bachelor's degree in zoology and chemistry. This was around 1948 and it looked like the goal of being in a medical profession was in her grasp. However, she was a victim of discrimination being rejected by all twenty schools she applied for. This set her on another career path. She would study law and later enter politics.
Patsy T. Mink became involved in local Hawaiian politics during the 1950s. Her rapid rise came in 1958 when she was elected to the Territory of Hawaii Senate. Her public service would last decades. She served from 1965 to 1971 as a U.S representative from Hawaii. Congresswoman Mink would represent the second district from 1971 to 1977. Patsy T. Mink would then serve as Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Science Affairs from 1977 to 1978. She would return to her old congressional seat in 1990. She was an advocate of civil rights, women's rights, and was opposed to US intervention in Vietnam. This made her a target by right-wing forces from Republicans and pro-war Democrats. She became a member of the N.A.A.C.P and in 1960 at the Democratic National Convention voiced her support for the African American freedom struggle. Her biggest success was area related to education and social policy. The Education Amendments of 1972 was the legislation she was most notable for. This was a law that prohibited sex discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funds. Title IX was a part of this legislation, which Mink was the co-author of. This had a major impact on women's participation in athletics. Across the country, girls' sport programs were underfunded at both the secondary and tertiary level of school. This challenged and changed that and generations of women began participation in competitive sport . Patsy T. Mink also authored the Women's Educational Equity Act She was also was instrumental in the introduction of the Early Childhood Education Act. She dedicated her life to fighting inequality and promoting social justice. Patsy T. Mink passed away in 2002 from pneumonia. Title IX was renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act in her honor.
Patsy T. Mink became involved in local Hawaiian politics during the 1950s. Her rapid rise came in 1958 when she was elected to the Territory of Hawaii Senate. Her public service would last decades. She served from 1965 to 1971 as a U.S representative from Hawaii. Congresswoman Mink would represent the second district from 1971 to 1977. Patsy T. Mink would then serve as Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Science Affairs from 1977 to 1978. She would return to her old congressional seat in 1990. She was an advocate of civil rights, women's rights, and was opposed to US intervention in Vietnam. This made her a target by right-wing forces from Republicans and pro-war Democrats. She became a member of the N.A.A.C.P and in 1960 at the Democratic National Convention voiced her support for the African American freedom struggle. Her biggest success was area related to education and social policy. The Education Amendments of 1972 was the legislation she was most notable for. This was a law that prohibited sex discrimination in educational programs receiving federal funds. Title IX was a part of this legislation, which Mink was the co-author of. This had a major impact on women's participation in athletics. Across the country, girls' sport programs were underfunded at both the secondary and tertiary level of school. This challenged and changed that and generations of women began participation in competitive sport . Patsy T. Mink also authored the Women's Educational Equity Act She was also was instrumental in the introduction of the Early Childhood Education Act. She dedicated her life to fighting inequality and promoting social justice. Patsy T. Mink passed away in 2002 from pneumonia. Title IX was renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act in her honor.
Further Reading
Keene, Ann T. "American
National Biography Online: Mink, Patsy." American National Biography
Online: Mink, Patsy. Oxford University Press., 4 Oct. 2008. Web. 02 Mar. 2015.
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