While representing Hawaii for nearly 20 years in Congress, Representative Patsy Takemoto Mink (born 1927) has made great strides toward peace, women's rights, civil rights, equality and justice.

On January 3, 1965, Patsy Takemoto Mink was the first Japanese American woman and the first woman of color to be elected to the United States Congress. Breaking new ground for women and ethnic groups, though, was nothing new for her. The road to Congress was paved with many firsts such as being elected the first female class president in her high school and being the first Japanese American woman to practice law in Hawaii. Mink's dedication to helping others has resulted in legislative reforms in health care, education, women's rights, civil rights, conservation, employment and environmental affairs.

Trouble in Paradise

Patsy Takemoto Mink was born on the Hawaiian island of Maui on December 6, 1927. She grew up in the small town of Hamakuapoko where...