ALBANY, NY (607NewsNow) – A longtime Ithacan and educator has been recognized.

On May 13, the New York State Senate celebrated Denise Lee as the 2025 Woman of Distinction in the 52nd Senate District.

She was nominated for the award by State Senator Lea Webb, who says she chose Lee for a lifetime of teaching and fierce advocacy for equity in education.

“Mrs. Lee is the embodiment of what it means to be a Woman of Distinction,” said Webb. “Her lifetime of service as an educator and advocate for children has left a profound impact on countless lives in our community. Through her leadership and unwavering commitment, she has empowered generations to dream bigger, reach higher, and give back.”

Lee, born in 1950 and raised in Brooklyn, holds degrees from Cornell, Ithaca College, and SUNY Cortland. She taught in the Ithaca City School District for 45 years.

Denise Lee (left) and Senator Lea Webb at the New York State Senate’s 27th Annual Women of Distinction Ceremony in Albany 5-13-25 Credit: The Office of State Senator Lea Webb

“I am humbled and honored to receive this recognition,” said Lee. “My work has always been rooted in love – for my students, my community, and my family. I believe deeply in the power of education and the importance of lifting each other up. I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me, and I remain committed to reaching back and pulling others forward.”

In 2023, the Ithaca City School District’s Aspiring Educator Award was renamed the Abraham and Denise Lee Aspiring Educator Award in recognition of the couple’s years of service.