05/19/2026
This Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, SYK honors the legacy of Patsy Mink, a trailblazing attorney, congresswoman, and advocate for equal opportunity.
A graduate of the University of Chicago Law School, Mink dedicated her career to advancing equity in education and the workplace. After facing rejection from law firms because of her in*******al marriage, she founded her own practice and became the first Japanese American woman to practice law in Hawaii. She is best known as a co-author of Title IX, the landmark legislation prohibiting sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs. In 2002, the law was renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act in recognition of her leadership and advocacy. As the first woman of color and the first Asian American woman elected to Congress in 1964, Mink helped expand access to education and opportunity for students across the country. Her legacy continues to inspire future generations through her commitment to equity, access, and public service.
