Marcia S. Lee '93
Since the day she left Alma Mater, Marcia Lee has devoted herself to public service. After serving with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps, Marcia earned her master's degree in public policy from Georgetown, all the while working full time as a Legislative Assistant to Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Moving to The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University, she worked as a Special Assistant to the Center's Director (and fellow Crusader), Joseph Califano. By all accounts, Marcia attacked the scourge of addiction and substance abuse with a passion, pursuing research that sent her from university campuses to the dangerous cocaine fields of Columbia and the poppy fields of Thailand.
Eventually, Marcia's research and reportage were used by Sens. Biden, Hatch, Leahy, DeWine and Thurmond to create the Drug Abuse Education, Prevention and Treatment Act of 2001, called by Joe Califano, "The most comprehensive legislation on substance abuse ever." Joe adds that Marcia was the "spark plug" behind this bill. Today, Marica is Senior Advisor for Drug Policy and Research for the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs and the Staff Director of the Senate Caucus on International Drug Control.
Marcia's desire to make a difference carries over into her personal life, as well. A Eucharistic Minister at her local parish, she is a member of the John Carroll Society, a founding member of Women Developing Capital and a regular participant in D.C. Cares Service Days. Active in the Holy Cross Club of Washington, she also works with the alumni admissions program.
For her passion, her commitment to educating us all regarding the crippling effects of substance abuse, her dedication to eradicating the suffering of those in the grip of addiction, the College of the Holy Cross presents to Marica Lee the Sanctae Crucis Award.