About Me

Helen Tzu-Han Lee was born in mainland China. She grew up in Taiwan. After graduating as valedictorian from SooChow University Law School, she came to the United States to pursue a master's degree in Education.

Helen met her husband, David, at California State University. They married and studied computer sciences at the University of Iowa. Their only child, Eileen, was born in Des Moines and graduated from West Des Moines Valley High School. In 2000, Eileen was chosen as a U.S. Presidential Scholar and was invited to the White House where she was awarded a Scholar's Medallion from President Bill Clinton. Eileen went on to graduate with distinction from the University of Iowa at the age of 19 and earned her MD from the UI College of Medicine at 23.

Helen's husband founded the Chinese Association of Iowa in 1987, and Helen established the association's Chinese school, the first in Iowa, 2 years later.  She has appeared at numerous cultural events over the years as both teacher and featured speaker. Most often she is asked to speak about education, parenting skills, and Feng Shui, the Chinese art of designing homes to enhance chi (energy) so as to promote life,health, wealth and happiness.

Helen has been a Mandarin interpreter/translator for the Greater Des Moines health care system and the Fifth Judicial District court system. She has expanded her work into housing by becoming a real estate sales specialist. In doing this, Helen has been able to combine her legal background and her love of working with clients with another passion, helping others find homes.

Among her other honors, Helen is a member of the Phi Tau Phi Scholastic Society and the Fellow of Life Management Institute, recipient of the Dale Carnegie Highest Achivement Award, and author of articles featured in China Today, The Greater Detroit Times, and The USA Chinese School Association Newsletter.