Biography

Co-authored Title IX bill in 1972, which led to expanded opportunities for women and girls in athletics and academics. Bill renamed in 2003 through House Joint Resolution 113 to become known as the "Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act."

Became the first woman of color elected to Congress, the first Asian-American woman to practice law in Hawaii and the first Asian-American woman to be elected to the Territorial House.

In 1965, Mink became the first woman of color to join the ranks of Congress. She served six consecutive terms. In 1977, Mink gave up her seat in Congress to run for a vacancy in the United States Senate. After losing the race, President of the United States Jimmy Carter appointed Mink to his cabinet as assistant Secretary of State. She served alongside Cyrus Vance, Edmund Muskie, and National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski.

In 1990, she won a special election to regain the 2nd Congressional District seat representing rural Oahu and the neighbor islands after U.S. Sen. Spark Matsunaga died and U.S. Rep. Daniel Akaka was appointed to his seat.

Her death occurred one week after the 2002 primary election, too late for her name to be removed from the general election ballot. On November 5, 2002, Mink was posthumously re-elected to Congress. Her vacant seat was filled by Edward Espenett Case after a special election on January 4, 2003.

Posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama 24 November 2014.