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But her role of Glinda in The Wiz, which ended her five-year hiatus from theater and coincided with her husband’s mayoral race, may have been the most meaningful. Singing nightly, “If You Believe,” which had been her hallmark for many years, also served to inspire audiences as well as her husband, for which she sang for him at his victory party.
FirstBank continues to offer Free Checking to all. A few banks have decided to bring it back, but it never left FirstBank. We continue to offer the same no minimum balance, no monthly service charge Free Checking that we have since 2003. No asterisks needed. Go ahead, look for them. It’s truly free.
Life as the First Family of Denver
Life changed for Lee and her family after her husband was elected mayor. She now balances her time between taking care of home and family, performing with the Mary Louise Lee Band, and tending to First Lady of Denver duties. Yet, while the Mayor’s calendar is always jam-packed with community engagements, Lee picks and chooses what she will attend, making sure to always carve out time to perform with her band. “At times life can be overwhelming,” she states. “People expect you to act a certain way, be a certain way.” She says she now has to consider her safety when out. “I am always careful and cautious of my surroundings, and at certain times I can’t go to certain places.” She recalls one night, while at a Wal-Mart, a woman approached her and yelled in her face, “Y’all think you’re the Obamas.” She has received much advice and wisdom on how to be a “toughskinned” spouse in the political arena from Denver’s former first ladies: Wilma Webb, Helen Thorpe, and Gabrielle Vidal. “They have encouraged me to remain my own woman while supporting my husband and family,” Lee says. Initially, the adjustment to family life of a political leader was also difficult for the couple’s two teenage children, Jordan and Janaé. “They wanted a normal life with no security people following them around,” Lee says. “A lot of Michael’s time is spent in the community, so they don’t have their dad all to themselves.” But the couple has managed to maintain a decent degree of normalcy for their children, due in large part to Lee’s efforts. “My goal has been to maintain stability for my family.” And she shares that “when Michael is home, he is home.” She says the Mayor cooks dinner for the family every Sunday night. Their efforts have paid off. Jordan, who graduated from East High School this spring, is following in his mom’s musical footsteps and will attend the Atlanta Institute of Music with aspirations of becoming a professional rap singer and also plans to study Audio Engineering. Janaé, who also attends East, has just recently made the cheerleading team for the second year.
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Date Night
THURSDAY, JUNE 13 | 6 – 8 P.M. 21 & over only | $25 member | $30 non-member Pack a picnic and bottle of bubbly* to enjoy al fresco in the amphitheater, and spend an enchanted evening at Denver Botanic Gardens! We’ll provide decadent desserts, including a sparkling sorbet bar and make-your-own whoopie pies. Throughout the evening, the jazzy sounds of Swing Je T’aime will fill the Gardens & have you wearing out your dancing shoes under a canopy of starry lights. (Free swing dance lessons offered from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.) Slip away to take a twilight stroll or join a group for a tour.
Get your tickets now at www.botanicgardens.org
*or wine, or microbrews
Denver Urban Spectrum — www.denverurbanspectrum.com – June 2013
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Bringing Back the Arts to Schools Bringing Back the Arts (BBTA) is a perfect interconnection of all of Lee’s passions; music, youth, and her role as the First Lady. BBTA’s purpose is to restore arts programs in Denver Public Schools and provide opportunities for kids to attend free cultural performances. Through BBTA, youth artists have showcased their talents and competed in a live concert held at the Bluebird. “This past year we had more than 170 submissions and only 10 finalists were given a shot to win $1000, $500, and $350 dollars. It was a success,” Lee states proudly. “Mary Louise naturally chose the arts as her platform because of long and extensive history both in music and theater, and because an involvement in the arts always helped her stay excited about school,” says Rachel Chaparro, Staff Assistant to the First Lady of Denver. “She has a long history of working with at-risk youth, and is excellent at managing every aspect the programs – always weaving in a message about self-esteem.” Chaparro adds that Lee always begins her time with the kids by singing “If You Believe,” from The Wiz.
Being True to Mary Louise Lee
Mary Louise Lee’s down-to-earth demeanor is a breath of fresh air. You might see Lee at a gala one night in full formal gear and in a t-shirt and sweats the next eating a snow cone at a community festival or concert. Despite being in the limelight, Mary Louise Lee is simply herself no matter the place or the people. “My mother taught me how to act in every situation, but never to put on airs,” she says about her mom, Barbara Jordan. “I am the person I am because of her. She truly is a phenomenal woman – a `Proverbs 31’ woman.” The First Lady is known to everyone in Denver by her maiden name, which her husband has always been fine with. The only exception, she says, is at her church, New Hope Baptist, where she is known as “Sister Hancock.” Lee has been inspired by the work of many artists but it is the refrain in one of Lee’s all-time favorite songs by Oleta Adams that she says describes her life best, “I’d be nothing if I couldn’t sing my song.”