Joseph Lee (American politician)
Joseph Lee | |
|---|---|
| Chairman of the Boston School Committee | |
| In office 1970โ1970 | |
| Preceded by | John J. Kerrigan |
| Succeeded by | Paul Tierney |
| In office 1962โ1962 | |
| Preceded by | Madeleine Reilly |
| Succeeded by | Louise Day Hicks |
| In office 1956โ1956 | |
| Preceded by | Mary K. Fitzgerald |
| Succeeded by | John P. McMorrow |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1901 Boston |
| Died | November 6, 1991 (aged 90) Boston |
| Political party | Democratic Party |
| Spouse(s) | Kathleen Nolan (?-1951; her death) Ariel Foley Duff (1960-1991; his death) |
| Alma mater | Harvard College |
Joseph Lee (1901-1991) was an American politician who served ten terms on the Boston School Committee.
Early life
Lee was born in 1901 in
Political career
Early school committee years
In 1937, Lee was elected to the Boston School Committee. He was reelected in 1939. During his first stint on the committee, Lee was credited with introducing 7th, 8th and 9th grade economics courses. He attempted to eliminate Latin and foreign language courses, stating that "only modern language of today is the language of economics." In 1940, he stated that a proposed pay increase for female teachers would "encourage birth control and race suicide."[3]
Unsuccessful bids for higher office
In 1940, Lee ran for a seat on the
Recreation advocacy
Lee also fought for increased recreational activities for both adults and children. He campaigned for public skating on the Charles River and Jamaica Pond. He helped establish the Massachusetts Committee to Further Outdoor Recreation and the Boston Board of Recreation. During the 1940s he served as chairman of the Boston Park Commission.[3]
Later school committee tenure
In 1953, Lee was once again elected to the Boston School Committee. He was reelected in 1955.[3] In 1956 he was elected committee chairman.[7] He lost in 1957, but returned in 1959 for the first of six consecutive terms.[3] In 1962 and 1970 he was the committee chairman.[2][8] He lost his bid for reelection in 1971, following an effort by the Boston Teachers Union to unseat him.[9]
Personal life and death
Lee's first wife, Kathleen Nolan, died in 1951.[3] In May 1960, Lee, then 59, married Ariel Foley Duff, a 26-year old widow.[10]
Lee died on November 6, 1991, at a nursing home in Jamaica Plain.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "Joseph Lee Went to Harvard, Once Was Laborer at Fore River". The Boston Daily Globe. October 18, 1945.
- ^ a b Hurt, Richard L. (January 3, 1962). "Lee Chosen Head Of School Board". The Boston Globe.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Joseph Lee, 90; elected 10 times to the Boston School Committee". The Boston Globe. November 8, 1991.
- ^ Harris, John G. (November 5, 1941). "Tobin Wins by 9514". The Boston Daily Globe.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - MA US Senate - D Primary Race - Sep 15, 1942".
- ^ "Our Campaigns - MA US Senate - Special D Primary Race - Jul 11, 1944".
- ^ "Lee Elected Head of School Board, Post Father Held". The Boston Daily Globe. January 4, 1956.
- ^ Van Dyne, Larry (January 14, 1970). "Lee now heads Hub school board". The Boston Globe.
- ^ Brody, Judith (December 31, 1971). "Lee, still fighting, leaves school panel". The Boston Globe.
- ^ "Joseph Lee, 59, And Widow, 26, to Wed in May". The Boston Daily Globe. April 8, 1960.
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