What was the most interesting fact about Patsy Mink that you learned in your research?

It wasn’t necessarily one fact that was the most interesting, but it was getting to go through the entire story of her life and seeing how all of the pieces fit together. I think a lot of times with historical figures especially, we can hear these piecemeal facts without a broader context. Being able to write this book gave the chance to really go through her life and dig deep into her experiences and seeing how those experiences impacted her as a person and the work that she did. My favorite example and the one I was most moved by was her experience with anti-Japanese racism following the bombing Pearl Harbor. She wrote about how when she was only 14, she saw her father burning family heirlooms and feeling like he had to hide his Japanese heritage. She felt like she had to hide her Japanese heritage and disconnect from it. Of course that experience really influences someone, especially at such a young age. Being able to see how that experience and also other moments in her life made her who she was, was pretty incredible.

What is the biggest lesson you hope young readers take away from the book?

Patsy Mink was fearless in standing up for what is right. She fought for equality and justice, even when she was the lone voice in a crowd and that wasn’t just her work as a Congressperson but it started so early in her life. By the time she was in school, she was writing letters to the principal and school administration to make sure they treated students equally. I hope that young readers read this story and feel empowered to stand up for equality the same way that Patsy Mink did.

How did you do the research for this biography?

The research process was so much fun. There are a few biographies and documentaries about her, which I certainly read and watched. I also turned to primary sources, such as interviews from her, Congressional records because I wanted to see what she actually said on the House floor, and I interviewed her daughter for a personal account. Also her daughter just came out with a biography called Fierce and Fearless, and I got to read that a little bit early.

What question would you ask Patsy Mink if you had the chance to meet her?

Assuming that the genie loophole is out of the picture and I can’t ask to ask more questions, I think that I would ask her about Hawai’i. A lot of the research I did was about her work in D.C. and her work on the national stage, but of course she was the Congressperson for Hawai’i and she grew up on the islands. I would love to hear more about her childhood on Maui and also how she feels growing up in Hawai’i and how that impacted her and made her the person that she was.

What does the Persisterhood mean to you?

Something that I think is so incredible about this series is looking at how many women came together to make it possible. It’s such a joy to have and make books that celebrate women and history. I have learned so much reading the other books in this series, and I hope that kids feel the same way. I hope that the books encourage them to pursue their dreams.