HONOLULU — The U.S. Mint released a new quarter Monday that honors Patsy Takemoto Mink.

What You Need To Know

  • The U.S. Mint is releasing five new quarters featuring women each year over a four-year period from 2022 through 2025

  • In 2021, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging her to honor Mink by including her in the American Women Quarters Program

  • The late U.S. Representative is remembered for passing Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program that receives federal funding from the government

  • The coins can be purchased directly from the U.S. Mint in rolls and 100-coin bags

On Friday, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono announced the release of the quarter at the Stan Sheriff Center, according to a news release. She was joined by the University of Hawaii President David Lassner, Hawaii Department of Education Superintendent Keith Hayashi, and advocates for gender equity to highlight the legacy of Mink. 

Mink was a third-generation Japanese-American, who was born and raised on Maui. The late U.S. Representative is remembered for passing Title IX, which was later renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act. The law prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school or education program that receives federal funding from the government. 

“As the first woman of color to serve in Congress, Patsy Mink was a trailblazer who fought to ensure that generations of girls and women could have every opportunity men have,” said Hirono in the news release. “I am proud to announce the launch of this quarter honoring Patsy and her legacy, so that people across our state and country can learn more about her life and contributions to the fight for social justice, equality and civil rights.”

In 2021, Hirono sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urging her to honor Mink by including her in the American Women Quarters Program. The U.S. Mint is releasing five new quarters featuring women each year over a four-year period from 2022 through 2025. Hirono also advocated for the U.S. Mint to release a quarter honoring Hawaiian composer and kumu hula Edith Kanakaʻole, which was put into circulation last year.

The new quarter depicts Patsy Takemoto Mink wearing a lei and holding her Title IX legislation. Visible in the background is the U.S. Capitol Building’s south wing, home to The House of Representatives. Below Mink, the coin reads “EQUAL OPPORTUNITY IN EDUCATION.” The Mink quarter was designed by Beth Zaiken and sculpted by John P. McGraw. 

The coins can be purchased directly from the U.S. Mint in rolls and 100-coin bags.

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.