Patsy Mink

First Asian-American woman elected to U.S. House of Representatives

What is Patsy Mink known for?

Patsy Matsu Mink, born Patsy Matsu Takemoto on December 6, 1927 in Hāmākua Poko, Hawaii Territory, United States, was a remarkable figure in American politics. An alumna of Maui High School in Kahului, Hawaii, where she graduated valedictorian in 1944, she went on to break many barriers with her significant contributions to the political landscape.

Mink was the first woman of color and the first Asian-American woman elected to the United States House of Representatives, holding office for 24 years. Initially, she served from 1965 to 1977 and then once again from 1990 until her passing in 2002. She was also a member of the Honolulu City Council and served as the Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs in 1977.

Patsy Mink's journey in politics was driven by her strong advocacy for equality and her own experiences with discrimination. After graduating from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, she faced rejection from 12 medical schools, leading her to shift her focus to law. She faced further discrimination due to her marital and parental status, which eventually fueled her decision to open her own legal practice and engage in legislative action to combat discriminatory customs.

Over her illustrious career, Mink fought for and contributed to an array of causes, notably women's rights and education. Her path-breaking role in politics, from the Hawaiian territorial legislature, where she served as an attorney, to her election as the first Japanese-American woman in the territorial House of Representatives and Senate, made her a symbol of change and progress not just in Hawaii, but in the whole of United States.

For more information about Patsy Mink's life and career, have a look at her detailed profile on the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.