Who is Lorraine Lee?

Activist. Foosball enthusiast. Champion. Born of Chinese/Japanese and Filipino descent, UA alumna Lorraine Lee made herself known throughout Tucson through her work in social and environmental justice. She would earn her B.A. Degree in Psychology in 1978 and pursued her masters in Urban Planning at the University of California Los Angeles. After she graduated, she began to work for Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC), overseeing the development of several programs such as the establishment of three charter high schools and the creation of the La Causa Construction Company, which provided affordable housing. Sadly, she would pass away in 2007, after a decade-long fight with cancer.

Lee would go on to be awarded the Ms. Rosa Parks History Makers Special Recognition Award, and the National Council of La Raza Maclovio Barraza Leadership Award.  She herself would go on to be the namesake of several other awards, such as the Chicanos Por La Causa Lorraine Lee Legacy Award and the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy Lorraine Lee Scholarship. Most notably, as a token of appreciation for her efforts, the city of Tucson would dedicate a canyon trail in her name, calling it the Lorraine Lee Hidden Canyon Trail. Furthermore, she would be recognized by the University of Arizona through her entry in the Women's Plaza of Honor.

On February 21st, from 10AM to 12PM, Campus Community Connections, alongside Reinas Who Hike, will be hosting a commemoration hike for Lorraine Lee. Join us as we reminisce about her accomplishments and find inspiration through her legacy.

What is Spaces for Solidarity?

Spaces for Solidarity: Honoring Lorraine Lee is a community-building program launching in the Spring of 2026 that promotes student wellbeing and resilience by connecting them to the outdoors and local histories of activism that bring together the struggle for environmental and social justice. Led by the University of Arizona (U of A) Student Culture and Engagement Hub and faculty affiliated with Asian Pacific American Studies, this program invites all students and community members through three linked programs to learn about and honor the legacy of Lorraine Lee, an environmentalist, activist, and community champion venerated by multiple Tucson communities. 
 

• Community Panel on Monday, February 9, 2026, 5:00–7:00 PM @ Lotus Lounge Student Space, Student Union Memorial Center Room 409
   
• Lorraine Lee Hidden Canyon Trail Commemoration Hike Saturday, February 21, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM @ Lorraine Lee Hidden Canyon Trail (3800 W Starr Pass Blvd)
   
• Lotus Lounge Student Space Commemorative Art Installation, estimated launch May 2026

Past Events

Partners

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Project Archive

View a recording of Lorraine Lee's acceptance speech in 2001 when she was honored by the National Council de Le Raza with the Maclovio Barraza Leadership Award.

Read more about Lorraine Lee in our project resource list here.