Big Isle artist to create statue of Mink to be placed on library’s front lawn
A bronze statue of the late U.S. Rep. Patsy Mink will be created by a Hawaii island artist to honor the trailblazer who fought for gender equity in sports and education.
Holly Young, who sculpted the Queen Kapiolani statue at Kapiolani Park, has been selected to create the statue at an estimated cost of $138,000.
The tribute to the champion of Title IX will be located on the front lawn of the Hawaii State Public Library. The statue is scheduled to be unveiled in 2017.
Mink’s daughter, Wendy Mink, author and independent scholar in Washington, D.C., said in a news release that the statue will convey her mother’s passion and commitment for peace, social justice and civil rights.
A three-member selection committee commissioned by the state Legislature has approved the design and signed off on the location.
“The main library’s front lawn was selected because of Congresswoman Mink’s commitment to education and learning, and its proximity to all levels of government for which she served: City Council, state Legislature and the federal government,” committee Chairwoman Gladys Mahoney said.
Born in Paia, Maui, Mink entered law school after she was denied entry to medical school because of her gender. She was the first Japanese-American female attorney in Hawaii.
In 1964, Mink became the first woman of color elected to Congress, where she served 12 terms. She co-authored the Title IX legislation banning gender discrimination in schools.
Mink was among six people President Barack Obama posthumously honored with the Medal of Freedom Award, the nation’s highest civilian honor, in November 2014 for her unwavering efforts in gender equity.
She died in Honolulu in September 2002 at age 74.
“She fought for justice and equality, particularly for women and children, those who were underrepresented,” Mahoney said in an emailed statement. “Her landmark legislation, Title IX, along with her many other accomplishments, embodies those principles. She, herself, experienced injustice and discrimination so her commitment and work ensured a better future for everyone. It is important that her legacy lives on.”
9 responses to “Big Isle artist to create statue of Mink to be placed on library’s front lawn”
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What a waste of money. And an eyesore. #Kaaihue4Congress #Kaaihue4Mayor #TakeBackHawaii
Why her?????
Why don’t we open a garden devoted to bronze statutes of politicians? Every politician would get one.
Like Dan Akaka, Mink never brought any bacon home…..just made a lot of noise…..there’s far more notable people than that angry woman whose shrill voice was sickening
What would be more befitting is a statue of Henry Kapono of C&K fame who is our Hawaiian Ambassador of Music.
Henry’s still singing at Tropics Bar & Grill.
Mink should have a statue in her honor. Title IX legislation is a big thing in USA history. Every female who attends a school (i.e., almost every female), especially those who participate in sports and other activities, should give her a big mahalo whenever they benefit from gender equality in today’s society. Every citizen should know who she was and honor what she did.
Thanks for responding to those who don’t know what Patsy Mink was able to accomplish in her place and time, and to those cynics who only see the purpose of politics as about money or power.
Title 9 has, in its own quiet way shaped and strengthened the identity of American women over just a few generations. Through equal participation of American girls and young women in education and school sports, women scholars and athletes have been inspired throughout the world for the same. As I have watched the Women’s soccer world cup, especially the past two finals between Japan and USA, I have thought about how my daughter confidently takes it all for granted, and about this may be due to a little loud mouth from a Big Island plantation town.
Patsy is a prime example of how someone from Hawaii has had an outsized influence on national and world affairs, and how this influence is often overlooked. I agree that a statue of her is most fitting, but that hopefully it will just be life-sized.
“Maui plantation town”
And all those “boys” teams that have been shut down! Title 9 has good intentions but when you hand it over to a bureaucracy then look at the data and see how much good but also too much damage has been done by t9. Sorry she has a park, can we just keep the statue in the park? Give the birds something?