Grandmother’s Lessons INSPIRED TO SERVE, MAY LEE NEVER STOPS
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May O. Lee Photo by Aniko Kiezel
CM By Corky Mau Pocket Life
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POC MAY n 22
ocket resident May O. Lee is driven to make the world a better place. Since earning a master’s in social work from Sacramento State in 1987, she works tirelessly on behalf of our immigrant and refugee communities. The longtime activist will be recognized May 21 for her efforts. Lee will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from her alma mater. The honor is given to individuals who distinguish themselves through humanitarian and philanthropic contributions. Lee became a social worker because of her paternal grandmother. “She understood the challenges facing immigrants and was determined to help them overcome the social and language barriers in the U.S.,” Lee says. “She was just a teenager when she left China to marry my grandfather, who was 20 years older.” The couple opened a laundry business in New Orleans. Lee’s grandmother taught herself English and learned southern cooking, with local dishes often served alongside traditional Chinese meals. “As more Chinese moved into the area, my grandmother offered a hand. Helping fellow immigrants attain a better quality of life became a life passion for her,” Lee says. Lee followed her grandmother’s example. In 1975, she was the first paid staff person for the Asian Community Center. ACC Senior Services is now in its 50th year. Lee founded Asian Resources in 1981, a nonprofit that connects immigrants to jobs and social services. She helped start Health For All, My Sister’s House and the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce. She also tackled voter rights, which resulted in Sacramento County ballots being printed in Chinese and Spanish. Lee has been involved with census outreach and educating people about
