Answer
Patsy Mink was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1965, becoming the first woman of color to serve in Congress. She represented Hawaii's 2nd congressional district for 12 terms, from 1965 to 1977 and again from 1989 to 1991. Mink was a strong advocate for civil rights, women's rights, and education, and she played a key role in the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment.