Elected in November, 2009 to the Salisbury City Council, Blackwell came in second among 13 contenders for the five council seats. Her peers on City Council elected her Mayor Pro Tem.
"The past two years have been an amazing journey," Blackwell says. "I've worked with so many people - from virtually every part of the city. It's a joy and an honor to serve."
As an advocate for her Salisbury neighborhood, Blackwell conceived a park to attract young families to the area. City leaders responded by nominating her for a national humanitarian award, citing
“Mrs. Blackwell is a shining example of what can happen when a single citizen contributes to their community in such an extraordinary way.”
With a twenty year career in Information Systems for Fortune 500 companies, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, AIG, and Wachovia Bank, Blackwell has extensive experience in telecommunications, systems programming, and project management. She trained in customer service at Disney World and directed award-winning customer help desks at the national level. She led her field in implementing strategies such as voice response, videoconferencing, and fiber optics. She developed and was accountable for multi-million dollar operating and capital budgets.
"Maggie is a tremendous asset to Salisbury. She assumes her role in government with integrity and thoughtfulness, regarding the needs of the community deeply. She is a leader in every aspect and, most importantly, encourages others in the development of their own leadership capabilities. I am inspired in so many ways by Maggie and appreciate her as friend, mentor, and civic leader." Amy Welch (founder of Food for Thought, an organization that provides weekend food to the neediest children in our schools)
Blackwell’s growing-up years in Montgomery, Alabama, developed her value for diversity. Her father, Joe Azbell, was the reporter at the scene that seminal day when Rosa Parks declined to sit in the back of the bus. He covered the bus boycott and the bombing of Dr. King's home. Later, he testified for Martin Luther King in Birmingham. He was featured in the first episode of Juan Williams’ PBS miniseries Eyes on the Prize, and is quoted extensively in many books about that historical period.
"As a new downtown merchant, it was encouraging to have Maggie pay a welcome visit to my boutique. Having been in the space since Feb. 2011, it was the first and only visit from any member of City Council and went a long way in making me feel a vital part of downtown. Sitting over coffee and danish allowed a real exchange of thoughts and insights which I trust was mutually beneficial. I applaud her efforts to reach out and touch merchants and citizens on a first hand basis. I look forward to working with Maggie and the Council to continue improving the growth and prosperity of a more vibrant downtown Salisbury." Debbie Evans (owner of A Little Sumthin’ Sumthin’, a downtown boutique)
Blackwell has lived in Salisbury for nineteen years. Service plays a large part of her life. After a three-year term on the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Blackwell served a term on the Salisbury Planning Board before being elected to City Council. She’s a 2008 graduate of Leadership Rowan, and supports Waterworks Visual Arts Center, Salisbury Symphony Orchestra, the Land Trust for Central Carolina, and Historic Salisbury Foundation. She serves on the boards of The Bread Riot and Salisbury Civitans. As a Council member, she serves as liaison to the Human Relations Council, Community Appearance Commission, and the Municipal Planning Organization.
"I had a voice mail on my telephone one night asking me to return a call from Maggie. When I called her back, to my surprise, she said she had heard that we had a nuisance issue in area and she would like to help us deal with it. It was a wonderful thing for an offer to help instead of having to go through the process of trying to find help....Yeaaa Maggie, we need you." Connie Baker (co-owner of East Square Artworks)
Blackwell has mentored children at Overton and Isenberg Elementary Schools and Knox Middle School for the past 10 years and is a deacon at First Presbyterian Church. She and her family volunteer regularly at Rowan Helping Ministries. Blackwell lives in the Fulton Heights neighborhood with her husband and granddaughter.
"Maggie is a person whose actions speak louder than words. She goes right to the source to get the job done and can be counted on to do her "homework" on any issue before casting her vote. We wish we could clone her and elect 5 Maggies!" Charles & Norma Goldman retired photographer and educator
