Susan C. Lee
State of Maryland
Annapolis, MD USA
"You've got to stand up for yourself even if you're by yourself."
Career Roadmap
Susan C.'s work combines: Government, Politics, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
Volunteer in your community and be engaged. Talk to people and understand what their issues are, then figure out how you can help. Get involved with elections. Even if you don't have a goal of running yourself, it's still good experience to get involved.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Political Science
University of Maryland College Park
Doctorate
Law
University of San Francisco School of Law
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I grew up in Maryland, the daughter of a WWII veteran and an immigrant mother, learning the values of service and resilience.
2.
As one of the few Asian American students in my school, I faced bullying, which fueled my lifelong commitment to fighting discrimination.
3.
I pursued political science and law to gain the tools to advocate for underrepresented communities.
4.
My early career in civil rights law and intellectual property shaped my passion for justice and public service.
5.
In 2002, I was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates, becoming a voice for cybersecurity, human rights, and equal pay legislation.
6.
Serving in the Maryland Senate, I championed laws protecting victims of human trafficking, combating gun violence, and expanding equal pay.
7.
In 2023, I was honored to become Maryland’s Secretary of State, using diplomacy and policy to strengthen global and local communities.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
The Asian American community does not matter because they don't vote.
How I responded:
I once heard an elected official say that the Asian American community doesn't matter because we don't vote. It made me so mad that I couldn't see straight. I made it my mission to prove him wrong. I organized a nonprofit political group called the Coalition of Asian Pacific American Democrats of Maryland. We did advocacy on our community's issues, screened candidates, and supported individuals who would support our community.
Experiences and challenges that shaped me
I was bullied in middle school because I looked different than my peers. It affected my self-esteem and my grades. I don't want any other children to go through the same thing, so I've targeted discrimination as one of the focus issues in my career.