A special quarter celebrating the life and legacy of Patsy Takemoto Mink, a distinguished University of Hawaiʻi alumna, is available for purchase from the U.S. Mint, and began shipping on March 25. An event announcing the release and honoring the former U.S. Congresswoman and Title IX champion was held at the Stan Sheriff Center at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
The quarter design depicts Mink holding her landmark Title IX legislation, which prohibits educational institutions from discriminating on the basis of sex in any way, and wearing a lei representing her home state of Hawaiʻi. The U.S. Capitol Building is in the background.
“As the first woman of color to serve in Congress, Patsy Mink was a trailblazer who fought to ensure that generations of girls and women could have every opportunity men have,” said Sen. Mazie Hirono. “Congresswoman Mink’s legacy lives on through Title IX, the landmark legislation she authored to outlaw sex-based discrimination in education. As we work to build on the progress she made, I am proud to announce the launch of this quarter honoring Patsy and her legacy, so that people across our state and country can learn more about her life and contributions to the fight for social justice, equality and civil rights.”
Distinguished UH alumna
Mink graduated from the University Hawaiʻi in 1948, with majors in zoology and chemistry. She was the first woman of color elected to Congress. Title IX, which she co-authored, was renamed the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act following her death. UH celebrated the 50th anniversary of Title IX in 2022.
“All of us at the University of Hawaiʻi are beyond proud and grateful to have been part of the important work of Patsy Takemoto Mink and to be able to celebrate this milestone honoring her today. Patsy is a distinguished UH alumna who left a lasting legacy to the world with the enactment of Title IX,” said UH President David Lassner. “UH stands fully committed to the values of equity, inclusion, and justice that are championed through what is now known as the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act. We stand fully committed to the hard work we know is needed by all of us to create a future free from all forms of sex discrimination and that provides equal opportunity and access to education for all.”
Enduring legacy
The Patsy Takemoto Mink quarter is the 12th coin in the U. S. Mint’s American Women Quarters™ Program, which celebrates the accomplishments and contributions made by women who have shaped our nation’s history and helped pave the way for generations that followed.
“The release of Patsy Mink’s quarter serves as a reminder for us to continue to fight for gender equity,” said UH Mānoa student Ashley Badis. “It is thanks to Title IX that myself and other women have been able to carry on her legacy.”
The National Women’s History Museum, the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and the U.S. Mint will celebrate Mink and the release of her quarter at an event to be held in Washington D.C. on April 17, which is free and open to the public.
