A champion of women’s rights, Hawaii senator Patsy Takemoto Mink was integral in the passage of two landmark laws. In addition to co-authoring the Title IX Amendment of the Higher Education Act, Mink introduced the Women's Educational Equity Act of 1974.

Mink’s political career began in 1956, when she was elected to the Hawaii House of Representative. She was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1964, becoming the first woman of color elected to the national legislature and congress’ first Asian-American woman.

For 40-plus years, Mink fought to preserve rights for minorities, women, children and immigrants. Her efforts to battle discrimination remain alive via Title IX and the Women’s Educational Equity Act – the latter of which allocated funds to promote gender equity in schools. #TitleIXat50