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PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON'S CABINET IN 1971
Men controlled government
When Congresswoman Patsy Mink served in Congress, she had to persuade men in power to support her vision for a more equitable America.
In 1968, while Richard Nixon was campaigning for president, he supported a national public daycare system. Nixon promised to "make a national commitment to providing all American children an opportunity for a healthful and stimulating development during the first five years of life."
Congresswoman Mink worked with then-Senator Walter Mondale, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Children and Youth to sponsor the bill in the Senate. The legislation had bipartisan cooperation. It passed the Senate 63 to 17 and 211 to 187 in the House. President Nixon was expected to sign it. At the 11th hour, to satisfy conservatives in the upcoming 1972 primary, Nixon surprised everyone, when he vetoed the bill on December 10, 1971.
Federal funds for day care
Day care During World War II
During WWII, the Federal Government provided day care centers near factories for working mothers. After the war the program ended in 1946.
1960s-1990s
During the 60's most women with young children did not work outside the home. By 1995, the labor force rate of married mothers grew to 65 percent. By 1998, the labor force participation among single mothers grew to 77 percent.
Percent of family budget
In 1960 the average child in a middle-income, husband and wife family spent 2% on daycare.
In 2013, that same family was spending 18% of their budget on child care.
Today, childcare is not affordable for the average American family and it usually costs more than the rent or mortgage if you have two kids. Millennial parents complain that quality day care often costs more than in-state college tuition.
"Rosie" had Childcare
When mothers worked in the factory
When mothers worked in the factory
When mothers worked in the factory
During WWII when "Rosie the Riveter" had to work, factories built childcare rooms paid for by the federal government.
Their children had free childcare.
When mothers worked in the factory
When mothers worked in the factory
The program ended after the war.
Twenty years later, Patsy Mink was able to build her argument based on the success of the WWII childcare program.
Is universal childcare the new infrastructure?
Working Mothers 2022
Because of the pandemic, 3 million working mothers were forced to leave the work force. President Biden's economic recovery plan includes providing childcare for working mothers.
Our podcast will look at Patsy Mink's previous national day care model that can help give the public the historic context it needs to make an informed decision today.
Reforming education laws
Hawaii Territory Education
In 1958, Patsy Mink was Chair of the Territorial Senate Education Committee. More funds per capita were spent on public education in Hawaii during her 1958-59 term than at any time since that session under her leadership, 64 years ago.
Federal Education Laws
President Lyndon Johnson was a teacher in rural Texas before he entered politics. When Patsy Mink arrived in Congress, she continued her focus on improving access to education and providing the needed federal funding. Patsy Mink found an ally in President Johnson. She helped Johnson pass his Head Start program for low-income children in 1965.
Special Education
Patsy Mink established a federal grant in 1966 to help states provide and pay for Special Education programs for students with disabilities.
Bilingual Education
Some immigrant children arrive at school with limited or no English ability. Congresswoman Mink obtained federal funds for a new Bilingual Education federal program. The Act known as Title VII, was the first federal legislation in the United States that recognized the needs of limited English speaking students. The law was signed by President Lyndon Johnson on January 2, 1968.
Title IX
Patsy Mink authored and led the effort to pass Title IX, granting women equal access to education. An institution receiving federal funds could no longer discriminate against admitting women or including women in their programs. The law was signed by President Richard Nixon on June 23, 1972.