BOSTON, March 20, 2013, –- Suzanne Lee, who came within 97 votes of unseating incumbent Bill Linehan in 2011, announced today she is again running for the Boston City Council District 2.
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“I have dedicated my entire adult life to improving the quality of life for our children, and for our families, contributing to the development of safe and vibrant communities,” said Lee. “As I’ve continued to talk to residents throughout the district, I still hear concerns about jobs and liveable wages, about ensuring that every child has a quality education and about making Boston a place where families can find affordable housing options. As City Councilor, I will build on my years of service to our communities and work hard to deliver the results that our families deserve.” |
In 2011, Suzanne Lee motivated voters throughout the district with a grassroots campaign that drew hundreds of volunteers, and she personally knocked thousands of doors throughout the district from South Boston, South End, Chinatown, Bay Village and Fort Point Channel. A first time candidate, Suzanne shocked the political establishment by winning the September preliminary election and coming within 97 votes of beating the incumbent in the final. Inspired by Suzanne’s story, her life’s work, and commitment to excellence, supporters throughout the district are excited that she is again running for the District 2 seat.
“Suzanne’s work at the Josiah Quincy school demonstrates that she knows what it takes to build a successful urban school. As City Councilor, I am convinced that she will bring neighbors and community groups together to help solve many of the issues our schools face,” said Josh Weiss of the South End, a longtime education advocate and parent of two children in the BPS.
“Suzanne Lee is a caring and committed problem solver. Her many years of experience in the Boston Public Schools and her longtime involvement in creating positive change in our communities will be valuable assets on the City Council,” said Ann Moy of Castle Square.
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“Suzanne Lee epitomizes the kind of Boston politician I respect: one who stands up for what she believes in and works to bring people together around working for good education and smart development,” noted Joanne McDevitt of South Boston.
Suzanne Lee lives in Boston’s Chinatown neighborhood. She worked in the Boston Public Schools for 35 years, first as a teacher and later as a principal. She led a high-profile turnaround at the Baldwin School in Brighton, improving a low-achieving and divided school into a nationwide model for school improvement. She went on to head the Josiah Quincy Elementary School for 10 years. During her tenure the school was named one of the Best 100 Elementary Schools in Massachusetts. |
Suzanne Lee has been a community leader for more than three decades, helping immigrant mothers launch the first Chinese Parents Association and unemployed garment workers secure Boston’s first bilingual training programs as well as working closely with the Boston Foundation to address persistent poverty in the city.
A first generation immigrant, Lee grew up in Grove Hall, the child of garment and restaurant workers, and graduated from Girls’ Latin School. Lee was the first in her family to attend college, earning a scholarship to Brandeis University. Later, she earned her Master’s degree at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education.
For more information on Lee’s campaign, please visit www.suzanneleeboston.com.