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U.S. Representative Patsy T. Mink
Representative Patsy T. Mink (D-HI) (1927–2002) was the first woman of color to be elected to Congress. Mink, a third generation Japanese American was born and raised on Maui. She received her law degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1951. Returning to Hawaii, Mink served in the State Senate when Hawaii became the fiftieth state and delivered a speech during the 1960 Democratic National Convention convincing the party to maintain its stance on civil rights. Mink was elected to Congress in 1964 and served a total of six consecutive terms. While in Congress she co-authored the Title IX Amendment of the Higher Education Act extending more of the 1964 act's antidiscrimination protections to women.
"What greater weapon for peace do we have than our victory over bigotry and race hatred which for many centuries past have torn the world apart." |