User:Nancistory/sandbox

Lead ideas: ''What is the most important thing Lee Bird Leavengood has done? What is a short sentence that could distinguish her from all other Lee Leavengoods (if they exist)? What has her impact been? Think national and local. And that's all the lead needs to be!''

Early Life
Lee Leavengood (nee Bird) was born in Monticello, Florida in 1928. She attended the Florida State College for Women (FSCW) in 1947, and was one of the few FSCW women asked to help gender-integrate women into the premiere university in the state, the University of Florida in Gainesville.

University of South Florida
Lee, along with her husband and three children, moved to Tampa in 1960. Lee became involved with the establishment of the new university that was opening in Tampa. Lee attended ground breaking events, building openings, receptions and social gatherings. Eventually, she joined the University's foundation board and served on the executive board as the secretary. Serving on the executive board gave Lee first-hand view to the early steps in the establishment of the university.

Lee's interest in the university continued and in 1973 she took advantage of the policy to allow students of all ages to take classes.

Lee pursued a master's degree in guidance and counseling in the College of Education. She felt strongly that learning does not end at college graduation. Many so-called non-traditional students (otherwise known as mature students) attended the university. Eventually, Lee was hired by USF to be a pre-admission advisor for mature students, working full-time while raising her family.

Lee coordinated three major programs: USF SeniorNet Learning Center, USF Learning in Retirement Institute, and the Tuition Waiver Program for Senior Citizen. In 2003, Lee retired from the University of South Florida as the assistant director for the Institute on Aging.

Tampa Museum of Art
Lee Leavengood, along with eight other community members, were part of a committee to research and commemorate the history of the Tampa Museum of Art. The committee's work culminated in a commemorative book, The Making of a Museum: 100 Years, 100 Works, released in January 2020. Lee's earliest involvement with the art museum was to assemble volunteers, called The Guilders, who functioned like museum support staff. They raised money and assisted with operations.

Tampa Bay History Center
After retiring from the University, Lee continued her work in adult education through her involvement with the Tampa Bay History (TBHC). Lee developed the Adult Programs which was offered to program participants and museum visitors. In the years that Lee worked at the History Center, she established the History Book Group, the MacDill AFB Foreign Officer's Wives Luncheon, and the TBHC-sponsored Osher Life Long-Learning (OLLI) courses.

Awards
On October 14, 2014, Lee Bird Leavengood was the recipient of the Lightning Foundation's community hero. This $50,000 award was presented by Lightning owner, Jeff Vinik, and player Valtteri Filpupula. The award was donated to the Tampa Bay History Center and Osher Lifetime Learning Institute at USF.

In 2018 Lee was inducted in the Florida Women's Hall of Fame.