In honor of Women's History Month, we will celebrate an inspirational woman each Friday during March. We will call this acknowledgment "Women's History Month Spotlight."

Today we recognize Patsy Mink, born Patsy Matsu Takemoto on December 6, 1927, in Paia, Hawaii. Mink was an American attorney and politician from the U.S. state of Hawaii. Mink made history with a groundbreaking number of "firsts." First Japanese American to practice law in Hawaii. The first woman of color—and the first Asian American Woman —elected to the United States House of Representatives. In 1972, Mink became the first Asian American to run for president. Mink is best known for her work on legislation advancing women's rights and education. Mink died in 2002, but a foundation was established in her memory in 2003. The foundation aims to carry on some of Mink's lifelong commitments, including educational access, gender equality, equity for low-income women, and educational enrichment for children.

For more information, please click the links below:

Sources-

https://www.womenofthehall.org/inductee/patsy-takemoto-mink/ 

https://www.history.com/news/8-women-who-ran-for-president

https://blogs.loc.gov/teachers/2022/06/patsy-takemoto-minks-title-ix-legacy/ 

https://history.house.gov/People/-Patsy-Takemoto 

Patsy Takemoto Mink Education Foundation