Suzanne Lee, who came within 97 votes of unseating incumbent Bill Linehan in 2011, announced on Wednesday she is again running for the Boston City Council in District 2, which includes the South End.
Lee said she remains committed to improving the quality of life here in Boston, and to developing “safe and vibrant communities.”
“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,” Lee said. “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.”
More about Lee
Lee’s previous campaign in 2011 came just 100 votes short of unseating incumbent Bill Linehan. A resident of Chinatown, Lee has worked in the Boston Public Schools for 35 years, first as a teacher and later as a principal. She led a turnaround at the Baldwin School in Brighton, then 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.
Lee, a first generation immigrant, first got involved in community work by helping immigrant mothers launch the first Chinese Parents Association and helping unemployed garment workers secure Boston’s first bilingual training program. She has also worked closely with the Boston Foundation to address persistent poverty in the city.
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.
“Suzanne’s work at the Josiah Quincy school demonstrates that she knows what it takes to builda successful urban school,” said Josh Weissof the South End, a longtime education advocate and parent of two children in the BPS. “As City Councilor, I am convinced that she will bring neighbors andcommunity groups together to help solve many of the issues our schools face.”
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