I am saddened to learn of Lee’s passing. I worked as her executive assistant at The Mental Health Law Project. I also worked with her on Sterling Tucker’s unsuccessful 1978 campaign for mayor. Years after working for Lee, I became engaged in public affairs and communication, professionally. I owe this to my mentor and friend, Lee Carty. I respected her so much and was so honored when she requested me to work several fundraiser events held in Georgetown, on behalf of the former HUD Secretary and Ambassador, Patricia Roberts Harris. Lee was instrumental in Harris’s 1982 mayoral campaign. I credit my subsequent love of politics and work in political campaigns to this woman. She taught me so much and over the years since returning to NY state, I have seen her at several conferences. I often have thought of her and learned of her passing at Sterling Tucker’s celebration of life. I was not aware that so many people knew how fond we were of each other. Amazingly, at a gathering after Sterling’s service, several friends from the 1978 campaign teased me about how Lee and I had great admiration for one another. 

I think of Lee so often, but lovely to have this opportunity for a special remembrance today. She was so gracious, wise, optimistic, classy - such a great role model.

Hermosa Lee hace un año partiste de este mundo terrenal para encontrarse con el Padre Eterno en su infinita gloria, se que desde allí siempre estará pendiente de seguir ayudando a quienes pasamos por su vida, en especial a sus hijo e hijas que se que mucha falta les hará, Dios la tenga en su santa Gloria.

Lee was a wonderful presence at the Bazelon Center-- she always brought enthusiasm and humor and dedication to a very worthwhile cause. Her energy inspired many others. I always looked forward to seeing her friendly face there. We shall miss her.

I too served on the Friendship Place board for a number of years with Lee. She was a role model. She was intelligent, savvy, gracious, passionate and compassionate. So knowledgeable about issues and policy and equally interested and comfortable with the persons being served. She served as representative payee and mentor to many over the years at Friendship Place. Such a good listener and also a giver of good counsel. She will be sorely missed.

I got to know Lee over 35 years ago or so. I became a Board member of what was then the Mental Health Law Project (now Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law,) We became friends outside of the Board and our mutual passion to advance the rights of people with mental disabilities.

I stayed at Lee's house often when I cam into Washington for Board Meetings, the big house and the apartment. We went to art museums and farmers markets. Once when my daughter got sick in Washington, Lee put me up for a week, driving me back and forth to the hospital. I met some of Lee's family in the Bay Area.

I have always considered Lee as a special person in my life. A good friend, whether we were in touch or not.

Her kindness to me and my daughter when we were in crisis has stayed with me throughout my life.

I am so sad about her death. But people like Lee stay with you forever.

My daughter and I send our sympathies, and love for Lee.

I was privileged to serve on the Board of Friendship Place with Lee--what a dynamo! What a moral force! She wrote our newsletters for all those years before we could afford to hire someone. She was a great writer and a terrific advisor to me when I stepped up to be Executive Director for 2 years.The world is a lesser place without Lee.

It is with great sadness that I learned of Lee's passing. She was dynamic, compassionate and energetic in her dedication to the many causes she championed. I valued her friendship and send my deepest sympathy to her family in their loss.

As a staff member at the homeless services organization Friendship Place, I had the joy of working with Lee over the past 10 years, since she was one of the organization's founders and a long-time board member. She and a handful of other community activists in DC's Ward 3 worked with dogged determination to get the organization off the ground 24 years ago, and now Friendship Place helps more than 2,000 people a year all over the region and receives national recognition for our programs. It might never have happened without Lee Carty's passion and drive!!!

Under the "Stories" tab on this website, I posted what we wrote about Lee when she won Friendship Place's Benjamin E. Cooper Award back in 2000.

No one has shown more devotion, energy, compassion, and creativity on behalf of those in need. As a former board member of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, I had the privilege of watching Lee work her magic both inside the organization and well beyond it. The world is so much better because of her efforts.