License to Thrive

"Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority"

The world premiere of Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority, a one-hour documentary about the late U.S. Representative Patsy Takemoto Mink, will be held at 7 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008, Regal Theatres Dole Cannery 18, during the 2008 Louis Vuitton Hawaii International Film Festival.  The film has been selected for the festival’s Documentary Feature Competition.

Mink was the first woman of color in the U.S. Congress, where she served for 24 years.  A tireless champion for gender equity, she co-authored Title IX, later renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, the legislation that opened up higher education and athletics for women. 

Produced by Kimberlee Bassford, an award-winning independent filmmaker, Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority is the first documentary to explore the life and times of Congresswoman Mink—from her childhood on a Maui sugar plantation to her years in Congress as a champion for women, children, families and workers.  “Patsy’s story captures the spirit of a generation of trailblazing women and shows that one person—armed with vision, drive, and perseverance—can make a difference,” said Bassford. 

“Part of my attraction to Patsy's story is that I am also a woman of color,” said Bassford, who is Chinese and Filipino.  “Patsy shattered the stereotype of the ‘typical’ Asian-American woman.  She’s a powerful inspiration for marginalized people, especially women of color, that their voices do count.”

“I never doubted that I would have the opportunity to go to college—even graduate school—and to play sports,” said Bassford, who was born after Title IX became law.  “Women of my generation take for granted the very things that Patsy Mink fought for.”

The documentary’s title is taken from Mink’s quote: “It is easy enough to vote right and be consistently with the majority.  But it is more often more important to be ahead of the majority and this means being willing to cut the first furrow in the ground and stand alone for a while if necessary.”

For more information, visit the film's website:  www.aheadofthemajority.com