The Athens Justice Project thanked former state Rep. Louise McBee for her long-time support by planting a tree in her honor on North Campus.
The AJP planted a willow oak in McBee’s honor between the Chapel and Demosthenian Hall.
A ceremony will be held at the tree at 2 p.m. March 30 to unveil a plaque thanking McBee for her “leadership, integrity and caring.” UGA President Michael F. Adams, AJP Director Deborah Gowen and Clarke County Probate Judge Susan Tate will speak.
McBee, a retired UGA vice president, served on the AJP board of directors for seven years and helped secure funding for the program from the General Assembly. She also served on the AJP program development committee.
“Louise always has been a strong source of support for the Athens Justice Project,” said Gowen. “Her knowledge of the state and the community made her an extremely valuable member of the board of directors.”
The Athens Justice Project helps low-income people who are facing criminal charges and need legal representation, counseling, treatment for health and addiction problems and other social services.
McBee joined the AJP board in 1998, a month after the steering committee that created the organization converted to a board of directors, and served until 2005.
She represented Clarke County in the General Assembly from 1991 until she retired from politics in 2004.