On a humid Baltimore evening in the summer of 1982, I received a telephone call. The voice on the line belonged to a woman known to me only by reputation.

"I’ve been watching you, Mr. Cummings, as you help young African American law graduates in their efforts to pass the bar examination," she informed me. "I like the fact that you are constantly giving back to the community."

I was almost too overwhelmed to reply. I had been struggling in my small law practice, wondering how my career would proceed, and, out of the blue, a renaissance woman and legend in our community was calling to compliment me.

Master teacher, union leader, lawyer and legislator - the Honorable Lena K. Lee had created a new vision of what black women could hope to achieve in Maryland. A "coal miner’s daughter," she had earned her prominence through her indomitable intellect, compassion and character.

Whether the cause was the rebuilding of Orchard Street Church, Morgan State’s university status or the health of Maryland prisoners, Del. Lena K. Lee’s hand was prominent in the struggle. When we needed a black caucus and a women’s caucus in the Maryland Legislature, a new Provident Hospital or any other improvement in our community, her presence at the creation was certain.

After I voiced a few words of appreciation for her call, Del. Lee said something which would change the course of my life. "I am going to retire from the House of Delegates," she informed me. "I am looking for a competent and caring lawyer to take my place. I was hoping to find a woman, but I think that you will do."

In the days which followed, Lena K. Lee talked with then Sen. Clarence Mitchell III and Del. Larry Young, who agreed to include me on their ticket. Although not feeling well physically, she walked door-to-door with me, introducing me to voters and helping to raise campaign funds.

That first 1982 campaign for the Maryland House of Delegates was not an easy one, and I often expressed my doubts to Del. Lee. "The question is not whether opportunities will come in life," she replied, encouraging me. "The question is whether you are prepared to take advantage of them, and I think that you are prepared."

Lena K. Lee was my first - and best - teacher in public life. I took her eloquent words to heart, but they did not comprise her most lasting lessons.

Del. Lee possessed the intuition and compassion to reach out and help me and thousands of other young people she didn’t even know. By her acts of generosity, she taught us the true objective of public service.

Last Wednesday, nearly 17 years after Del. Lena K. Lee changed my life, the Maryland Coalition of Women for Responsive Government honored 12 distinguished women with the Dr. Patricia Schmoke SHEROES Award. Among those honored was Lena K. Lee.

I could not attend the MWRG ceremony because of my duties in the Congress, but I was able to stand in the House that day and share with my colleagues what I had been taught by my teacher and friend. The qualities of her life reminded us that our first and fundamental responsibility as public servants is to those who are unknown, unseen, unappreciated and unapplauded.