Sue Lee’s record of service to the Richmond District spans four decades. Sue is an exceptionally experienced advocate for our neighborhood, affordable housing, small business, equal rights and a better quality of life for all San Franciscans. She recently served on the Planning Commission — the only commissioner to be appointed for two terms, first by the Board of Supervisors and then by Mayor Gavin Newsom.
- As a neighborhood activist, Sue was one of the leaders of a grassroots effort to create, and later served as the president of the Board of the multi-cultural Richmond District Neighborhood Center, which 28 years later continues to serve youth and their families in the Richmond.
- As a Supervisor’s aide, Sue crafted landmark legislation to pay tenants interest on security deposits.
- As economic development officer in three Mayoral administrations (Feinstein, Agnos and Brown) Sue published the first guidebook for small businesses called Getting Business Started, created the “Green Ribbon Panel” to promote environmental best practices and coordinated relief efforts after the Loma Prieta earthquake.
- As a business community advocate, Sue helped shape the City’s “Equal Benefits Ordinance,” that required businesses that contract with the City to provide employee benefits for domestic partners.
- As a Planning Commissioner for the last six years, Sue earned wide respect for her thorough preparation, neighborhood perspective, advocacy for smart land use policies, and her balanced approach to solving the City’s toughest problems.
A third generation San Franciscan, Sue attended Madison (Claire Lilienthal) Elementary, Roosevelt Junior High, and Washington High schools in the Richmond District. After graduating from the University of California Santa Cruz, Sue returned home to teach English to Chinese immigrants. She also began a long career in community service.
Sue currently works as the executive director of the nonprofit Chinese Historical Society of America and its museum. She lives with her husband and son in the inner Richmond District.
For more information, please contact info@sueleeforsupervisor.com
A Few Words from Sue
My name is Sue Lee and I am running for District One Supervisor.
I believe we can end the political bickering and come together to develop a common vision for the Richmond District and the City as whole.
I am from the Richmond District — my family moved here when I was 8 years old. I grew up in a traditional extended family of 3 generations and attended neighborhood schools – Madison, Roosevelt and Washington High. After college when it was time to start my own family, I came back to the Richmond District, where my husband and I have raised our son.
My public service spans four decades. I began teaching English to Chinese immigrants, but found my niche as a community organizer fighting for affordable senior housing and transportation improvements in Chinatown. I worked at City Hall for a supervisor and then for three mayoral administrations, focusing on small business development and economic development. For the past 6 years (1&1/2 as president), I have served on the Planning Commission — first appointed by Tom Ammiano, then by Mayor Gavin Newsom.
Small Businesses are the backbone of our economy. That is why, when the San Francisco Flower Mart was threatened, I advocated for the small businesses located in this historic facility. I know that for the Richmond District’s small businesses to succeed we need a healthy economy citywide.
As a Richmond District neighbor, one of my most treasured experiences is being one of the leaders of the grassroots effort to create the multi-cultural the Richmond District Neighborhood Center, which has now served the families of the Richmond District for 28 years.
The RDNC is a concrete example of what can be accomplished by a group of like-minded people working together for a common goal.
As a community organizer, neighborhood activist and commissioner I have been able to get beyond political bickering to solve real problems and improve our neighborhood.
As a supervisor I will use these skills to:
- Work with you to find solutions to address issues that affect our daily lives
- Implement common sense public policies that will benefit the entire community
- Provide a voice on citywide issues from the Richmond District perspective.
As I have walked door-to-door in the District, I have heard your concerns and desires. I will work for the Richmond District by:
- Implementing a comprehensive approach to improve transit, traffic flow, and pedestrian safety
- Improving our parks, playgrounds, open spaces.
- Keeping our streets clean and safe for our families and seniors.
- Creating good schools close to home.
Because of my track record and goals, I have earned the support of Senator Dianne Feinstein, Mayor Gavin Newsom, Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, Supervisors Sean Elbernd, Michela Alioto-Pier and Bevan Dufty. I would be honored to have your support as well.
And I pledge to you that I will work hard on behalf of the entire city to promote a diverse economy, encourage small businesses, strengthen community building and retaining families for a San Francisco where we can be proud to live and work.
