Prominent Asian Pacific Americans

Patsy Takemoto Mink
U.S. Congresswoman

Patsy Mink (b. 1928 - d. 2002) was the first Asian American woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She introduced the first comprehensive Early Childhood Education Act and co-authored the landmark legislation that prohibits gender discrimination in federally funded schools.

Born on the island of Maui, her grandparents emigrated from Japan in the late 1800s. In her junior year of high school, she became the first girl elected student body president, and graduated class valedictorian. In 1951, Ms. Mink obtained her Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Chicago, and became the first Asian American woman to practice law in the state of Hawaii.

In 1964, Ms. Mink was elected to her first term in the U.S. House of Representatives. She served from 1964 to 1976, and again from 1982 to 2002. Ms. Mink co-authored Title IX legislation, which required equal support for women and men in academics and athletics at any institution receiving federal money.

On September 28, 2002, Congresswoman Mink passed away at the age of 74.

«Previous   Next, Facts»