Neil's Notebook Neil helps to build Mink legacy of equality
March 23, 2009
Sherilyn Tavares, second from left, is joined by her parents, University of Hawaii-Manoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw, third from right, and others at the Patsy Takemoto Mink Tribute Event. Sherilyn is the 2009 Patsy Takemoto Mink Fellow.
She'll work in Neil's office this summer in Washington, D.C.
Sherilyn Tavares, a native of Hilo, Hawaii, says she didn’t listen to the critics, the disbelievers who thought she shouldn’t bother pursuing a law degree in a big city because it just wasn’t possible for her. So it’s no wonder she was brought to tears when she was introduced to an audience at the Patsy Takemoto Mink Tribute Event on March 16, 2009 at the University of Hawaii’s William S. Richardson School of Law as the next person to receive a legislative fellowship created in the name of Patsy Mink.
Sherilyn is now the seventh UH law student to earn the fellowship which was founded by students of the UH law school in 2003 to honor the legacy of Mrs. Mink, the late Hawaii Congresswoman who, a generation before Sherilyn, defied the same kind of naysayers to become the first Asian American woman and woman of color in the U.S. Congress and, later, coauthor of the landmark Title IX that swung open the doors of opportunity for women in higher education and athletics.
Each year, the fellowship affords a law student interested in public policy and social justice the opportunity to intern in the House or Senate office of a member of the Hawaii congressional delegation in Washington D.C. This year’s fellow will work in the office of Congressman Neil Abercrombie who served in the House with Congresswoman Mink for 12 years.
"This gathering, I suspect, would have drawn from Patsy that beautiful, winning smile of hers—maybe out of a little embarrassment over all this attention," said Neil in a written message that was delivered to the tribute. "But she’d also be smiling out of tremendous pride, knowing that Sherilyn Tavares—one of Hawaii’s exceptional students who exemplifies Patsy’s passion and commitment—will be receiving a fellowship bearing her name. I am pleased to welcome Ms. Tavares to my Washington, D.C. staff for the summer to perpetuate Patsy’s legacy in the Congress.
Eligible applicants are William S. Richardson students in good academic standing with demonstrated leadership abilities and a commitment to public service. The fellowship is funded by donors committed to continuing and building upon Congresswoman Mink's extraordinary achievements.
Sherilyn told the audience that she was thrilled and humbled to receive the fellowship because Congresswoman Mink was an inspiration to her and her dream of studying law.
"I would say times have changed—a lot—because of Patsy" said Neil. "But she would be quick to scold me, saying: 'Yes, Neil, it’s changed—but not enough!' And she would be right. Title IX has been successful but inequities still persist, such as sex stereotyping in career and technical education. Collegiate sports could do much more for women’s athletics in areas such as operating dollars and money for recruiting."
The progress of women has certainly accelerated, since the days when Patsy Mink left her home in a small town on a Maui sugar plantation, thanks to her courage and passion as a U.S. Congresswoman. But the fact that there are still some people today who doubted Sherilyn Tavares proves, once again, why we all must continue working to build the Mink legacy of equality and fairness.
In his message to the tribute, Neil said: "Tonight’s tribute keeps the fire burning. It renews the tenacity that Patsy used to pass Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 in Congress. It reminds us, pushes us, to keep working for equality and to continue surfing the waves of change that still rise from her legacy. And, it reminds us how Patsy firmly believed that when the Constitution of the United States said 'We the people,' it meant all the people."
(If you would like to make a gift toward the Patsy Mink Fellowship, please go to the fellowship's Web site.
Sherilyn Tavares (right) and Joan Manke, Congresswoman Mink's former chief of staff, stand next to a plaque displaying the seven engraved names of William S. Richardson School of Law students who have been Patsy Takemoto Mink Fellows.
