Albany, GA — In a ceremony filled with gratitude and reflection, the City of Albany celebrated Mary Ann Petty on December 18 for her historic and inspiring 53-year career in public service. Petty, who broke barriers as the city’s first Black female employee, was honored for her resilience, dedication, and lasting impact on the community.
Petty’s journey began in 1972 when, at just 19 years old, she was hired as a customer service record clerk following a court order to integrate Albany’s municipal workforce. Her hiring marked a pivotal moment in the city’s history, though she initially didn’t grasp its full significance.
“My first response was, I didn’t want the job,” Petty recalled. “I wanted to stay home.” It was only after city officials explained the importance of the court mandate that she accepted the role. “I did not know at that time how significant it was,” she said, “but as time passed, I realized where I was.”
Her early days on the job were marked by isolation and discrimination. Petty was forced to eat lunch alone in a boiler room, faced cruel remarks, and felt profoundly unwelcome. “I realized my first day on the job I wasn’t a welcomed sight,” she shared. Yet, she persevered, rising through the ranks to become Director of Administrative Services and serving the city for more than five decades.
“Through those years, it is wonderful and beautiful,” Petty reflected. “Everything has changed, and I have had a magnificent 53 years with the City of Albany.”
Colleagues, city leaders, family, and friends gathered at the Albany Civic Center to honor her legacy. The celebration included heartfelt tributes, moments of reflection, and music—a testament to the profound changes Petty both witnessed and helped shape.
Albany City Manager Terrell Jacobs praised Petty’s unwavering commitment. “She’s a legend,” Jacobs said. “It has to be a ministry of yours to serve people, sometimes when they don’t want to be served.”
Petty also acknowledged the progress in city leadership over the decades, noting the diversity now present in Albany’s government—a stark contrast to the all-white offices of the early 1970s.
As she concluded the ceremony, Petty offered a powerful message to those continuing the work she began: “Continue to stand. At the end of the dash… I’m taking my seat for you.”
Her story stands as a testament to courage, service, and the enduring power of breaking barriers.
