The 2024 Patsy Mink quarter. Image courtesy of U.S. Mint.
The Honorable Patsy Mink (1927-2002) was a pioneering American politician known for her groundbreaking achievements and steadfast commitment to social justice. Born in Hawaii in 1927, she became the first woman of color and the first Asian American woman elected to the United States Congress. She served as a representative for Hawaii from 1965 to 1977 and again from 1990 until her death in 2002. Mink was a passionate advocate for civil rights, gender equality, and education reform.
Mink is best remembered as the principal author of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, a groundbreaking legislation that prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded educational programs. According to Title IX, “No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” Mink’s advocacy for Title IX stemmed from her belief in the power of education to empower marginalized communities. She understood that equal access to education was essential for achieving gender equity and dismantling systemic barriers. Through her legislative efforts, Mink paved the way for generations of women and girls—in sports, academia, and beyond—to pursue their dreams without fear of discrimination. After her death in 2002, Title IX was renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act.
To honor her legacy and celebrate her contributions to education equity, the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center have collaborated with the National Women’s History Museum and the United States Mint to release the 2024 Patsy Mink quarter. This is the twelfth coin to be released in the U.S. Mint’s American Women Quarters™ Program.
Historic Change:
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of the Honorable Patsy Mink
Wednesday, April 17, 2024
11 am – 12:30 pm EDT
Cannon House Office Building, Cannon Caucus Room 27
Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20515
By Rick Lee, Director of External Affairs and Strategic Partnerships for the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center