Kaleo Kekoa

Off the Court

Hawai'i alumni, as Kaleo Kekoa tells it on the shows. Each story was checked against its source.

• Alice Ballchemist, first Black woman graduate

  In 1915, chemist Alice Ball became the first woman and the first Black American to earn a master's degree here. She died at just twenty-four. In 2007 the regents gave her the Medal of Distinction, our highest honor. Took us a while. She earned it.

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• Patsy Minkco-author of Title Nine

  Patsy Mink, class of 1948, zoology and chemistry. First woman of color elected to Congress, and in 1972 she co-authored Title Nine. Every Rainbow Wahine team that takes the floor, that's Patsy's doing. Mahalo, Patsy.

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• Ah Quon McElrathlabor rights activist

  Ah Quon McElrath, born 1915, one of ours, spent her life as a labor rights activist. In these islands, somebody had to speak up for the working folks. She did.

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• Tammy Duckworthwar veteran and U.S. senator

  Tammy Duckworth, class of 1989, political science. Decorated war veteran, United States senator. Not bad for a kid who went to class up in the valley with the rest of us.

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• Gordon Cooperastronaut

  Gordon Cooper started college at UH and finished his degree somewhere else. Then he became one of the original Mercury astronauts. So if you're skipping class today, brah, you better have a rocket.

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