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The late Rep. Patsy T. Mink, the first woman to represent Hawaii in Congress and the first woman of color to serve in Congress, will be honored with a commemorative quarter.
On Thursday, Hawaii U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono applauded the U.S. Mint's announcement that its 2024 American Women Quarters collection will include a quarter featuring Mink.
Hirono had sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen in 2021 urging the Mint to include Mink as well as Edith Kanaka'ole, a Native Hawaiian dancer, chanter, teacher and kumu hula whose commemorative quarter is scheduled to be put into circulation later this year.
"Patsy Mink was a champion for social justice, equality, and civil rights -- she was a trailblazer in every sense of the word," Hirono said in a news release. "As the first woman of color to serve in Congress and a lead author of Title IX, Congresswoman Mink worked to ensure that all women in our country have every opportunity men have. I'm glad to see the Mint honoring Rep. Mink as part of the American Women Quarters Program so that people all across our country can learn more about her immeasurable contributions to Hawaii and our nation."