Tribute to Maryanne Mahaffey

Maryann Mahaffey died July 27.  She was a true feminist, supporting the formation of a Detroit Women's Commission (which never occurred; I met with Maryann and testified at City Council about the need for a Women's Commission).  She was a lifelong member of Detroit NOW, frequently attending events, fundraisers and meetings.  She was honored with one of our Feminist of the Year awards many years ago.

She was elected to Detroit City Council in 1974 and served as Council President 1990-1998 and 2002-2005.  She was a professor Emerita at the School of Social Work, Wayne State University where she taught from 1965-1990.  I am proud to have been her student in 1968, and we remained friends and colleagues since that time.

As a Detroit City Council member Maryann gave particular attention to health care, poverty, civil and human rights, civil liberties, handgun control, historic preservation, children, and mental.  She designed the first Rape Crisis Center in the Detroit Police Department and chaired the City Council Housing Task Force with an emphasis on housing for low income people.  She began the Task Force on Disabilities, empowering people with disabilities to chair and operate the Task Force. 

Maryann was the first elected woman to be national president of the National Association of Social Workers.  I worked with her throughout many years at the state and neonatal level, and she was supportive of my successful bid to be a regional representative on the national NASW board.

When Maryann ran for a Wayne County Commission seat in 1970, her opponent challenged the legality of Mahaffey using her maiden name on the ballot instead of her husband's last name.  Mahaffeywon the lawsuit, which went all the way to the Michigan Supreme Court, but not the seat.  Her daughter, Susan Dooha said, "I remember the campaign being a very difficult time."

The public memorial will be Saturday, August 26, at 2:00 p.m. at the Detroit Opera House. 

Submitted by
Jacquie Steingold