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Fierce and Fearless: Patsy Takemoto Mink, First Woman of Color in Congress
The first biography of trailblazing legislator Patsy Takemoto Mink, best known as the legislative champion of Title IX
“Every girl in Little League, every woman playing college sports, and every parent―including Michelle and myself―who watches their daughter on a field or in the classroom is forever grateful to the late Patsy Takemoto Mink.”―President Barack Obama, on posthumously awarding Mink the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014
Patsy Takemoto Mink was the first woman of color and the first Asian American woman elected to Congress. Fierce and Fearless is the first biography of this remarkable woman, who first won election to Congress in 1964 and went on to serve in the House for twenty-four years, her final term ending with her death in 2002. Mink was an advocate for girls and women, best known for her work shepherding and defending Title IX, the legislation that changed the face of education in America, making it possible for girls and women to participate in school sports, and in education more broadly, at the same level as boys and men.
Mink’s life is wonderfully chronicled by eminent historian Judy Tzu-Chun Wu and Gwendolyn Mink, Patsy’s daughter, a noted political science scholar and first-hand witness to the many political struggles that her mother had to overcome. Featuring family anecdotes, vignettes, and photographs, Fierce and Fearless offers new insight into who Mink was, and the progressive principles that fueled her mission. Wu and Mink provide readers with an up-close understanding of her life as a third-generation Japanese American from Hawaii―from her childhood on Maui to her decades-long career in the House, working with noted legislators like Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug, and Nancy Pelosi. They follow the evolution of her politics, including her advocacy for race, gender, and class equality and her work to promote peace and environmental justice.
Fierce and Fearless provides vivid details of how Patsy Takemoto Mink changed the future of American politics. Celebrating the life and legacy of a woman, activist, and politician ahead of her time, this book illuminates the life of a trailblazing icon who made history.
“Every girl in Little League, every woman playing college sports, and every parent―including Michelle and myself―who watches their daughter on a field or in the classroom is forever grateful to the late Patsy Takemoto Mink.”―President Barack Obama, on posthumously awarding Mink the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2014
Patsy Takemoto Mink was the first woman of color and the first Asian American woman elected to Congress. Fierce and Fearless is the first biography of this remarkable woman, who first won election to Congress in 1964 and went on to serve in the House for twenty-four years, her final term ending with her death in 2002. Mink was an advocate for girls and women, best known for her work shepherding and defending Title IX, the legislation that changed the face of education in America, making it possible for girls and women to participate in school sports, and in education more broadly, at the same level as boys and men.
Mink’s life is wonderfully chronicled by eminent historian Judy Tzu-Chun Wu and Gwendolyn Mink, Patsy’s daughter, a noted political science scholar and first-hand witness to the many political struggles that her mother had to overcome. Featuring family anecdotes, vignettes, and photographs, Fierce and Fearless offers new insight into who Mink was, and the progressive principles that fueled her mission. Wu and Mink provide readers with an up-close understanding of her life as a third-generation Japanese American from Hawaii―from her childhood on Maui to her decades-long career in the House, working with noted legislators like Shirley Chisholm, Bella Abzug, and Nancy Pelosi. They follow the evolution of her politics, including her advocacy for race, gender, and class equality and her work to promote peace and environmental justice.
Fierce and Fearless provides vivid details of how Patsy Takemoto Mink changed the future of American politics. Celebrating the life and legacy of a woman, activist, and politician ahead of her time, this book illuminates the life of a trailblazing icon who made history.
456 pages, Hardcover
First published May 3, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 21, 2022
In 1964, Patsy Mink, a Hawaiian of Japanese heritage, became the first Asian American woman and first woman of color to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. She defended Title IX of the Education Amendments, opposed the Vietnam War, and supported rights for both labor and women. This thoroughly researched biography is recommended for those interested in women’s history. Thanks to Netgalley and NYU Press for allowing me to review an advance copy of this book.
May 5, 2022
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and I'm glad I did. Patsy Mink is someone everyone should know about. I knew nothing of her and was surprised to see how she changed history. She was involved in everything from Hawaii to becoming a state to Title 9 to legislation on immigration and welfare. She was indeed fierce and fearless. I wish there was more information on her personal life outside of politics.
July 11, 2022
One of my favorite categories of books to read are historical narrative or biographies. I had only vaguely heard of Patsy Takemoto Mink on PBS Documentaries, so I was interested to read this book. I found it t be very detailed and in-depth, and well-printed on good, heavy stock despite being the paperback edition.
I appreciate the work that the authors put into researching and creating the biography and having Wendy’s articles in each chapter was a very good behind-the-scenes idea. I should say that I am not interested in politics, and I was more interested in the life of Patsy, so the political details began to lose my interest. The first part of the book was more my style of reading as it reviewed her childhood, but once she got involved in politics it became more detailed about her work than her life.
I must admit that I kept going until just over halfway then I started to skim the details about the legislative side of her life. With the author(s) both being Political Science professors it came over as a bit dry for non-poloticos.
I think this will be a great book for students and others who are interested in Political Science, or interested in her trailblazing work in civil rights; I think it will have a good audience in those fields as research material and to show just how much work and many years go into a political life and its processes- it does a great job for that audience, but I am a political layman and so the depth of that part was lost on me. I would have preferred to read more about her personal life than the political side, (for example from going to school there was a huge leap and suddenly she graduated Law school and then was in politics already with no detail about that formative part of her life), but I appreciate that her life in Congress was what made her so important.
I appreciate the work that the authors put into researching and creating the biography and having Wendy’s articles in each chapter was a very good behind-the-scenes idea. I should say that I am not interested in politics, and I was more interested in the life of Patsy, so the political details began to lose my interest. The first part of the book was more my style of reading as it reviewed her childhood, but once she got involved in politics it became more detailed about her work than her life.
I must admit that I kept going until just over halfway then I started to skim the details about the legislative side of her life. With the author(s) both being Political Science professors it came over as a bit dry for non-poloticos.
I think this will be a great book for students and others who are interested in Political Science, or interested in her trailblazing work in civil rights; I think it will have a good audience in those fields as research material and to show just how much work and many years go into a political life and its processes- it does a great job for that audience, but I am a political layman and so the depth of that part was lost on me. I would have preferred to read more about her personal life than the political side, (for example from going to school there was a huge leap and suddenly she graduated Law school and then was in politics already with no detail about that formative part of her life), but I appreciate that her life in Congress was what made her so important.
July 8, 2022
*I won this book through GoodReads Giveaways for my honest opinion*
This was a most perfect book to read right now in the midst of Roe v. Wade being overturned. I believe that Patsy would be front and center demanding that woman's rights were just that, a right to their own bodies.
Patsy Mink was a revolutionary feminist who fought for woman's rights and equality. I'm very saddened to think that I have never heard of this extraordinary woman until I won this book. Her life was so incredible. She faced so much racism and sexism and did not face it sitting down. She was a truly amazing woman and I am grateful to have read about her life.
This was a most perfect book to read right now in the midst of Roe v. Wade being overturned. I believe that Patsy would be front and center demanding that woman's rights were just that, a right to their own bodies.
Patsy Mink was a revolutionary feminist who fought for woman's rights and equality. I'm very saddened to think that I have never heard of this extraordinary woman until I won this book. Her life was so incredible. She faced so much racism and sexism and did not face it sitting down. She was a truly amazing woman and I am grateful to have read about her life.
May 15, 2022
Publication date: 5/10/2022
Born in 1927 in rural Hawaii, Patsy Takemoto Mink's life spans nearly three quarters of a century. And the Twentieth Century had many important historical events. The book covers Mink's determination to get her education and forge a career in politics beginning with protecting Hawaii and the Pacific Islanders from nuclear testing. She tackled coal mining, then became a spokesman for gender equality, education, and children. She was one of the front runners of today's issues.
Born in 1927 in rural Hawaii, Patsy Takemoto Mink's life spans nearly three quarters of a century. And the Twentieth Century had many important historical events. The book covers Mink's determination to get her education and forge a career in politics beginning with protecting Hawaii and the Pacific Islanders from nuclear testing. She tackled coal mining, then became a spokesman for gender equality, education, and children. She was one of the front runners of today's issues.
July 10, 2022
I won this book in a giveaway!
Patsy Mink was a trailblazing legislator that I never learned about in school. This biography, co-written by Patsy’s daughter, is comprehensive - so much so that it does get into the weeds of political issues from the 70s and 90s. As much as I want to recommend this book, I don’t know that I can, since it’s long and very academic. But, please do read about this incredible woman who was the architect of Title IX.
Patsy Mink was a trailblazing legislator that I never learned about in school. This biography, co-written by Patsy’s daughter, is comprehensive - so much so that it does get into the weeds of political issues from the 70s and 90s. As much as I want to recommend this book, I don’t know that I can, since it’s long and very academic. But, please do read about this incredible woman who was the architect of Title IX.
May 7, 2022
Fierce And Fearless was a very interesting book to read. Patsy Takemoto Mink was the First Woman of Color in Congress. This book tells her story and journey with pictures. It’s definitely was worth reading.
May 26, 2022
Reads like a history book. Very detailed and full of facts, even about Hawaii, which I have visited . Loved the backdrop of Washington D.C. and her native Hawaii. It is true that you must remove your shoes before entering the home. Takes a while to get through the book, though.
April 24, 2022
I'm receiving a copy of this book to donate to the Women's Prison Book Project. I am sure the readers will appreciate it. Thanks for getting me a copy!
June 8, 2022
A very important part of history I knew nothing about. It's a shame the number of things kept hidden from us. Easy flow to read. Happy page turning.
January 8, 2023
Amazing book about a pioneering woman. Especially interesting was the section on Mink’s time growing up in Maui when it was still a territory and her work on Title IV.
April 2, 2023
Learned a lot about her. Only knew that she spearheaded Title IX not all the other things she did.
October 2, 2022
I can't WAIT for this!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews