Mabel Lee (18 August 1886 - 3 December 1985) was a physical education teacher, advocate, and author, best known for serving as the director of physical education for women at the University of Nebraska from 1924 to 1952, being the first woman president of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD), and being the first woman president of the American Academy of Physical Education (now National Academy of Kinesiology).

Lee was born in Clearfield, Iowa, on August 18, 1886, to Jennie Aikman Lee and David Alexander Lee, who worked in the lumber business for most of her childhood. Marie had three sisters and no brothers. In 1893, Lee moved with her family to Centerville, Iowa when David joined the coal business.

Lee graduated from Centerville High School in 1904, then went to Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where she majored in psychology and minored in biology. She graduated magna cum laude in the Class of 1908. She wanted to teach physical education, so she enrolled in the Boston Normal School of Gymnastics, which was later acquired by Wellesley College.

Throughout her career, Lee was recognized with honorary doctorates in physical education from Coe College, Beloit College, and George Williams College.

After graduation from Wellesley, Lee returned to Coe College in 1910 where she was the director of physical education for women. During this time, she started several traditions including the May Fete (an interpretation dance program held on the quad) and Colonial Ball (a dance celebrating George Washington's birthday). In 1918, Marie accepted a position with the Oregon Agricultural College in Corvallis (now Oregon State University). During the Spanish flu epidemic, Lee became seriously ill and was forced to resign and move back to her parents' home in Iowa for recovery. When she could work again, she spent four years (1920–1924) as the director of physical education for women at Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin.

The majority of Lee's career was as the director of physical education for women and a professor at the University of Nebraska. In her role, she expanded the PE department and served on several committees. In her time leading the UNL physical education department for women, participation in women's intramural sports expanded from 3% to 80%.

In 1931, Lee was elected as the first woman president of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance.

At the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Lee substituted for First Lady Lou Hoover in presiding over the women's competitions.