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National LEADER
1960 Democratic National Convention, Los Angeles
John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson were nominated for President and Vice President.
She had Courage To Speak Truth to Power
Patsy Mink, age 31
US Senator Sam Ervin, age 64
US Senator Sam Ervin, age 64
Vice President of National
Young Democrats of America
US Senator Sam Ervin, age 64
US Senator Sam Ervin, age 64
US Senator Sam Ervin, age 64
Influential US Senator from North Carolina, serving on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
There was controversy with supporting Civil Rights.
Patsy Mink stood up to Senator Ervin
The powerful U.S. Senator Sam Ervin from North Carolina wanted to delete several portions of the platform that dealt with Civil Rights. The changes Senator Ervin wanted would have diluted the Democratic Party's commitment to desegregation. A speech by an unknown Asian-American woman from Hawaii persuaded two-thirds of the party delegates to keep their stance on the issue. Patsy Mink's televised speech before the delegates was powerful, and Senator Ervin's motions were defeated.
On the convention floor and thinking on her feet, Patsy Mink grabbed whatever scrap of paper was in easy reach (an empty envelope) to draft her speech to second the Civil Rights section.
Four years later, in 1964, Patsy Takemoto Mink was elected as the first woman of color in the U.S. Congress.
Patsy Mink's speech
Archival film clip from Patsy Mink's nationally televised speech at the 1960 Democratic National Convention in Los Angeles.
Patsy Mink's Handwritten notes
Front of envelope
Front of envelope
Front of envelope
"What greater weapon for peace do we have than our victory over bigotry and race hatred which for many centuries past have torn the world apart. How can America stand as the land of golden opportunity if indeed there is only that opportunity for some and not all. I too have the capacity in every ounce of my body and intellect to be tolerant of differing views and opinions. But when these views contradict and destroy everything that I believe is so fundamental to democracy that capacity to be tolerant is obliterated."
Back of envelope
Front of envelope
Front of envelope
"We need these to speak at least from a position of strength. What we do need to save democracy are the weapons which will win for us the respect and admiration of the world. Justice and Equality are a mockery if we do not support these words which express our determination to bring to all our peoples, equal rights privileges."