MINK! — My Mom Fought For Title IX, but It Almost Didn’t Happen | Op-Docs
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Published 2022-06-23
I became curious about the origins of Title IX while doing background research for my Op-Doc “The Queen of Basketball,” about Lucy Harris, one of the earliest beneficiaries of Title IX. My research led me to Representative Patsy Mink of Hawaii, who was a pivotal figure in writing and defending the law.
As the first woman of color elected to Congress, Ms. Mink — and her path to office — was influenced by the discrimination she experienced in her personal and professional lives. Many doors were closed to her as a Japanese American woman, and she became an activist and later a politician to change the status quo.
As I learned more about the early history of Title IX in the 1970s, I found that lobbyists and legislators mounted a formidable campaign to dilute and erode the law. This effort would culminate in a dramatic moment on the House floor, where Ms. Mink was pulled away during a crucial vote on the future of the law.
In "MINK!," Wendy Mink narrates her mother’s groundbreaking rise to power and the startling collision between the personal and political that momentarily derailed the cause of gender equity in America. After Ms. Mink’s death in 2002, Title IX was officially renamed the Patsy Takemoto Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act.
- by Ben Proudfoot
Credits
Director: Ben Proudfoot
Editors: David Faddis, Stephanie Owens, Ben Proudfoot
Featuring: Wendy Mink
Executive Producers: Naomi Osaka, Stuart Duguid, Adam Ellick, Kathleen Kingsbury, Ben Proudfoot
Producers: Rachel Greenwald, Ben Proudfoot
Co-Executive Producers: Philip Byron, Chavonne LeNoir
Original Score: Katya Richardson
Cinematographer: David Bolen
Supervising Sound Editor and Re-Recording Mixer: Sean Higgins
Colorist: Stephen Derluguian
Senior Post Production Supervisor: Dillon Brown
Post Production Supervisor: Laura Carlson
Co-Producer: Beatriz Browne
Archival Producers: Kimberlee Bassford, Wesley Jones
Online Editor: Tyler Ten Haken
Lead Assistant Editor: Cody Wilson
Assistant Editors: Foustene Fortenbach, Blaine Morris
Sound Effects Editor: Tom Boykin
Visual Effects: David Nieman
Digital Image Restoration: Cody Wilson
Additional Cinematography: Jordan Scott
First Assistant Camera: Jordan Scott
Production Sound Mixer: Christopher Broholm
Researcher: Brianna Pressey
Recording Engineer: Thor Fienberg
Scoring Mixer: Saun Santipreecha
Orchestration: Katya Richardson
Musicians: Leonard Chong, Ian Gottlieb, Lieza Hansen Kallin, Daniel Lim, Isaac Lopez, Gina Luciani, Katya Richardson, Kevin Richardson, Alex Tu, Sarah Wilkinson
Read more: nyti.ms/3zXXRxh
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All Comments (21)
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We need a movie about this woman. What an incredible life!
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This really made me cry a little, i just got a STEM degree last week in France where woman are widely inside the field and there isnt much discrimination and people like Patsy made it happen, Just to think that there are still in the 21st century places where women are not allowed to get an education or a career really makes my blood boil, We are all humans and we are all the same, no one is better than no one and we should just all learn how to respect each other and live in harmony. Lets mingle and not divide.
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What an amazing woman Patsy Mink was! She kept elevating. So glad that backwards social standards have been smashed in our country, although we still have a bit to go.
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That the first question was "Do you have a title other than Mrs?" Speaks volumes for the times.
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This is such a beautiful story! Congresswoman Mink is the woman we needed.
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My grandmother was a recipient of Patty’s Minks help in obtaining her citizenship. I am forever grateful for her Aloha to our family and every family in the state of Hawaii.
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Thank you. This made me cry, and I am not an American. Although Title IX applied only to the States, like so many things, I believe this title also became a global precedent. Who'd have thought there may not have been female professional sports if not for the tenacity and relentless efforts of an Asian American congresswoman from Hawaii. For that, thank you, Hawaii, the late Mrs and Mr. Mink.
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Excellent piece. Proud to have had Patsy Mink represent me as a woman of color.
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It's thanks to Rep. Mink (primarily) & representatives like her that our daughters have the ability to participate in the se curriculum. 💯 #ThankYou
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Thank you for sharing your story Wendy. I was born and raised in Hawaii and grew up seeing your mom's picture EVERYWHERE. I looked at Patsy Mink more like a famous aunty that was too busy to come to family parties rather than than just some run-of-the-mill politician. Until this day I've never even heard of Title lX. I hope more people see this. Thank you again.
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what an incredible woman, and clearly, such an example to everyone around her. another excellent film directed by ben proudfoot - thank you for this!
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Thank you for sharing this personal look at something that impacts each of us, daily! Your mom is one of my heroes, and I’m glad that you shared who she was, through your eyes!
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to this day patsy is revered in hawaii by aspiring female leaders in education and government, and by young people learning about the history of hawaii's politicians.👍
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Thank you for your undying courage Mrs. Takamoto-Mink! You inspired worldwide change.
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As a former NCAA Division I collegiate athlete I say, thank you Representative Mink!
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Much Aloha to Patsy Mink, her family, and the film makers for this story.
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I wish these docs were waaaaaay longer
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This was very informative! Patsy Mink was a woman who wasn’t afraid to show men what she could do to make change for other girls and young women out there! She would be proud of her daughter Gwendolyn for continuing her legacy for sure!
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Aloha! Thank you for profiling Maui girl, Patsy Mink. We’re so proud of her.
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Amazingly produced, it’s a blessing to see the dedication and Herstory being uplifted 🎉
