A Lifelong Drive to Improve Her Community

Ninety-five-year-old Lottie Lecian is known throughout her South Phoenix neighborhood as Miss Lottie, and residents say she is proof that staying engaged in a community can create lasting change.

Lecian, a lifelong educator who earned her doctorate degree, has lived in the neighborhood for nearly 70 years. During that time, she has worked to help shape the area and strengthen the connection between residents and City resources.

Much of that work involves partnering with the Phoenix Neighborhood Services Department. Sonja Flippin, a Neighborhood Specialist, said the department’s role is to connect residents with resources and information.

"I love what I do," Flippin said. "I get to interact with people and provide resources and information that people just do not know about."

Flippin often serves as a bridge between neighbors and City staff, a role she describes as being a connector.

That relationship recently helped bring a new sidewalk to Miss Lottie's street, where children and residents who use wheelchairs had been forced to travel in the street.

"Our children had to walk in the street to go to the schools that were here," Lecian said. "And the people who were in wheelchairs or disabled had no place to go other than in the street. And that was danger."

Lecian organized neighbors to support the effort. She said they visited every home to gather the requried signatures to approve the project.

Working alongside the City, the sidewalk plan moved forward. Flippin said Lecian is a voice of the community.

After decades in the neighborhood, Lecian said the key to making a difference is staying true to personal values.

"Do what you feel is the right thing for you to do," she said. "And always know that you want to do unto others as you would have others do unto you."

As Phoenix celebrates Women's History Month, Lecian’s work stands as a reminder that one person's voice can help shape an entire community.