She Persisted: Patsy Mink

Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds--including Patsy Mink!\nWhen Patsy Mink won her seat the House of Representatives as a Democrat from Hawaii, she became the first woman of color and the first Asian American woman elected to Congress. A co-author of the Title XI amendment of the Higher Education Act, she was a champion of rights for women, children, immigrants, and minorities throughout her twenty-four years in Congress. She helped paved the way for many other women to succeed.\nIn this chapter book biography by bestselling and Newbery award-winning author Tae Keller, readers learn about the amazing life of Patsy Mink--and how she persisted.\nComplete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Patsy Mink's footsteps and make a difference! A perfect choice for kids who love learning and teachers who want to bring inspiring women into their curriculum.\nAnd don’t miss out on the rest of the books in the She Persisted series, featuring so many more women who persisted, including Sonia Sotomayor, Margaret Chase Smith, and more!\nPraise for She Persisted: Patsy Mink:\n"A propulsive narrative moves quickly through Mink’s life . . . The book is decidedly inspirational in tone, yet the text includes brief, accurate, and age-appropriate explanations of the laws, people, and ideas that contributed to structural racism and oppression . . . A concise yet stirring biography." --Kirkus Reviews\nFrom School Library Journal\nGr 1–4—Persistence was a character trait that Patsy Mink exhibited from a very young age. Born in Hawaii in 1927, she had a nurturing family that allowed her to pursue her curiosity and explore the world around her. However, life was not without its challenges. Her Japanese ancestry and gender often created roadblocks as she worked hard to advance to higher education. Mink's first choice was to become a medical doctor. Unfortunately, due to prevailing racism and misogyny, she found that goal unattainable. Realizing that helping others was her passion, she found that her competitive nature and interest in government led her to politics. Working hard, she became a star, achieving many firsts along the way, including the first woman of color and the first Asian American woman elected to Congress in 1964. Mink is best known for being a coauthor of the Title IX amendment of the Higher Education Act. This early chapter book's illustrations add to the age-appropriate narrative. Included are a table of contents, references, acknowledgements, and an appended section listing six things readers can do to achieve persistence. Keller's end note explains her use of the term concentration camp over the more commonly used internment camp when addressing the institutionalized racism Asian Americans encountered after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. She noted that the U.S. Supreme Court did not overturn the use of these facilities until 2018. VERDICT This biography's focus on perseverance, prejudice, women's issues, and uncomfortable historical events makes it an important addition to all libraries.—Lynne Stover