May O. Lee moved from Seattle to Sacramento in 1975 and quickly became a community activist. In 1976, Chewy Ito, ACC’s board president, hired her as ACC’s first paid coordinator. “Chewy wanted someone who had fire in her belly and was fluent in Chinese and English,” says May. “I answered the call.” With that, May began her decades-long relationship with ACC.
After joining ACC, May went back to school at Sacramento State for her master’s degree in Social Work (MSW). As a social work intern, she worked with others at ACC to conduct an assessment of needs among older Asian Americans in the Southside Park neighborhood. The study led ACC to develop social programs at the Tambara House, Tanoshimi Kai nutrition sites at the Buddhist Church of Sacramento and the Sacramento Japanese United Methodist Church, as well as English and citizenship classes. She also helped June Otow from ACC to start Health for All, a preventative health care immunization clinic primarily for immigrant families. ACC was one of many community organizations benefitting from her energy, leadership, and ability to organize service programs.
From 1982 to 2006 May was the founding Executive Director of Asian Resources, Inc, a nonprofit focused on job readiness, particularly for those with limited English proficiency. And in 2000, May was instrumental in starting My Sister’s House, which serves Asian and Pacific Islander and other underserved women and children impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. In 2014, she helped found API-Rise Fund, to increase philanthropy in the API community and support social justice projects focused on education and community organizing.
May Lee has also been a stalwart organizer to boost US Census counts, get out the vote, and organize anti-Asian hate awareness and action, all while continuing her support of API service organizations.
Today, May is one of Sacramento’s most ardent community activists and volunteers. In April she received an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (LHD) from California State University, Sacramento. Among several celebrations of this well-deserved recognition was a small gathering at Sacramento State’s Julia Morgan House – on April 6th, hosted by Campus President, Robert S. Nelsen.
May’s fondness for ACC Senior Services and its history is evident in her participation in the ACC History Project. She has been a producer and host of several episodes covering ACC’s 50-year history.
When asked what advice she would give to young people starting a career in social work, she said, “Know your family history within the context of its impact on the role in overall American society. This will be your guide as you embark on any career. It will lay the foundation as you strive for civil and social justice in your community.”
Thank you, May O. Lee, for your work in the Sacramento community and at ACC. Congratulations on receiving the distinguished Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Sac State! It has been a pleasure working with you.
Add a Comment