Mrs. Kathryn C. Lee [klee(at)sacobserver.com]
Co-Owner, THE OBSERVER Media Group

If Sacramento is a better city today for all people, but particularly for African American women, much credit goes to the work dedication and commitment of Mrs. Kathryn C. Lee.

Mrs. Kathryn Lee

Mrs. Lee, who is a product of local Sacramento schools, not only dreamed of a better place for all of us to work and live, but also acted to make those dreams come true.

Mrs. Lee's pioneering efforts not only opened doors for women of color in law enforcement and legislative services, but along with her family she has provided an award-winning medium of communications for a news-hungry community.

It was at her kitchen table that THE OBSERVER Newspaper was founded. The paper was started in 1962 to fill a tremendous need in Sacramento. It came into being in an era when Black persons could hardly get an article in the local newspaper.

Today THE OBSERVER is one of the nation's most prominent African American newspapers.

Never interested in praise or recognition's, Mrs. Lee has quietly gone about her tasks: serving, making contributions, like a true instrument of change.

Most people do not know, for example, that Mrs. Lee was the first African American woman to work at the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. There, as an active officer and leader in the Deputy Sheriff's Association, she opened doors for many African American women who were to follow her in local law enforcement.

In addition, Mrs. Lee had a fourteen-year career as a pioneering legislative aide in the California State Legislature. Long before persons of color were prevalent in the state Capitol, Mrs. Lee was a strong advocate and personally active in bringing ethnic minorities to job opportunities in the Capitol, particularly as legislative staff members.

Also active in the community, Mrs. Lee over the years has served on the board of many organizations, such as: the American Red Cross; the Private Industry Council (PIC); the Sacramento Symphony Association; the Arthritis Foundation and the Stanford Home for Children.

At the state level, she was appointed by the legislature as a board member California's Bureau of Automotive Repair Board.

Mrs. Lee also is a former member of the Sacramento County Grand Jury (1973), and she served as president of the Oak Park Business Association (1980).

Always concerned with women's organizations, in the '70s, Mrs. Lee, along with a few other determined women, headed a significant fund-raising drive to "burn the mortgage" of the early Women's Civic Improvement Center.

Many organizations have recognized the lifelong contributions of Mrs. Lee for a better life here in Sacramento.

Her honors have included "Woman of the Year" tributes from organizations such as the National Council of Negro Women, the Christian Women's Organization, the Women's Civic Improvement Club, Blacks-In-Government, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and most recently, the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.

Perhaps the biggest accomplishment for Mrs. Lee has been her courageous battle with the disease of arthritis. Totally bedridden just last year, Mrs. Lee demonstrated her faith, her trust in prayer and her strong spirit to overcome adversities no matter how challenging. Today after a number of surgeries dealing with the disease she walks with courage, determination and thankfulness.

A successful wife (married to Dr. William H. Lee), mother of three children and grandmother, this First Lady of "THE OBSERVER" is so convinced that none of us are promised a life free of pain and suffering.

Updated: 03.24.03