Published by Quill Tree Books

Summary:  Growing up in Hawaii, Patsy Takemoto learned about her family’s Japanese heritage, including the expression “fall down seven times, stand up eight” that meant persisting in the face of adversity.  Patsy faced adversity over and over again, being rejected from medical schools despite excellent grades, struggling to get a job as a lawyer after graduating from the University of Chicago law school, and being defeated in a bid for Congress.  On her second try, though, she won, and in 1965, Patsy Takemoto Mink became the first woman of color in the U.S. Congress.  Her personal experiences of discrimination, as well as letters she got from women all over the country, led her to fight for civil rights.  She cosponsored Title IX, a bill requiring schools to treat men and women equally.  It passed, but another bill was introduced that would have made sports exempt from the ruling.  After a fierce fight, that bill was defeated, and Title IX became the law.  Includes an author’s note, timeline, and bibliography.  48 pages; grades 1-5.

Pros:  This excellent biography tells the story of a woman who may not be known to many but who helped bring about changes that have had a positive impact on girls and women all over the country.

Cons:  No photos.

March 18, 2022 at 05:00PM Janet Dawson