Patsy Takemoto Mink: The Fight For Gender Equality

Patsy Takemoto Mink led the fight for gender equity in education after personally facing discrimination in her academic and work life. As a member of the 92nd United States Congress, Mink co-authored Title IX, a 1972 law ensuring equal treatment for women in federally-funded education programs. During her decades in public service, she also sponsored equal pay legislation, the Women’s Education Equity Act, and the Gender Equity Act, continuing to break down barriers for girls and women. Patsy Mink’s leadership and her legislative achievements led to dramatic increases in opportunities and equality for women in academics, employment, and athletics. Her lasting legacy continues to shape women’s educational experiences today.
As a Japanese-American
During a 2009 roundtable discussion at the White House, Dr. Joyce Winterton, Assistant Administrator for Education, described the impact, “Title IX was critical in opening that door for women and girls but women and girls still have to choose to go through it” (Duncan and Jarrett). Commentary on Title IX primarily focuses on the impact on women’s athletics and disregards its dramatic effect on women’s academics and career opportunities (Ford). In the years that followed the passage of Title IX and the Women’s Equity in Education Act, there was a substantial increase in women’s enrollment in colleges and universities, women’s college graduation rates, and women’s admission to medical and law schools (Duncan and Jarrett). Medical degrees awarded to women increased from 9 percent in 1972 (prior to Title IX) to 49 percent in 2006 (Bassford). Describing her amazement at this progress, Patsy Mink said, “I never had in my dreams and expectations the notion that for instance medical schools across the country would be 50-50” (Bassford). Similarly, law degrees awarded to women went from 7 percent in 1972 to 48 percent in 2006 (Bassford). At the same time, Title IX’s well-recognized impact on women’s athletics was immediate and has empowered two generations of female athletes (Ford). Former professional tennis player Billie Jean King described
After Mink’s death in 2002, while still representing Hawaii in the U.S. Congress, Title IX was renamed the Patsy Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act to honor her achievements, and President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014 (Langston; Mertens). Unfortunately, despite the dramatic educational and occupational gains made by women since the early 1970s, there is still work to be done to achieve gender equity in educational settings and beyond. First, women continue to be underrepresented in STEM (i.e., science, technology, engineering and math) academic fields and careers (“The Next Generation of Title IX”). Subtle stereotypes and gender norms, still common in the media and in educational settings, reduce girls’ confidence and lead to the belief that they may not be capable of succeeding in math and science (Duncan and Jarrett). Effective programs are needed to address this discrimination and provide opportunities for girls and young women to explore and engage in STEM studies and career opportunities (“The Next Generation of Title IX”). Second, girls and women still commonly experience discrimination, bullying, and sexual harassment in academic settings that limit their achievement (Nat’l Coalition for Women and Girls in Education 37). Additional legislation and educational programs for primary and secondary schools and