MaryAnn Black, a social worker and legislator from Durham, has died at 76

Long-time social worker turned politician remembered for her grace.

Posted 11:31 p.m. Mar 26, 2020 — Updated 3:46 p.m. Mar 27, 2020

Travis Fain

, WRAL statehouse reporter

DURHAM, N.C. — State Rep. MaryAnn Black, a former Durham County commissioner and a long-time social worker, has died. She was 76.

Black had been undergoing treatment for cancer, Indy Week reported Thursday.

She was a clinical social worker for more than 30 years, and in 1994 was named “Social Worker of the Year” by the National Association of Social Workers, according to her biography for Duke Health, where she worked in recent years as associate vice president for community relations.

Black served on the Durham County Board of Commissioners from 1990 to 2002 and chaired the board from 1996 to 2002.

She was, at one point, president of the Durham Downtown Rotary, and in 2006 was the first female chair of the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce.

Democratic 1st District Congressman G.K. Butterfield said in a statement Thursday that Black served "with immense passion, tireless dedication and endless grace."

"MaryAnn Black was known throughout the city of Durham and the state of North Carolina for breaking barriers, setting high standards and fighting for the needs of the Durham community," Butterfield said. "With over 30 years of service prior to her political career, MaryAnn’s soul of a social worker poured out into everything she touched."

Rep. Marcia Morey, D-Durham, said on Facebook that Black, "gave her life to the people of Durham, Duke Health and her son, Jonathan."

"I will be forever grateful for her calming presence, wisdom and grace," Morey said. "She was a beautiful friend."

Morey's post drew 60 comments within an hour, many of which characterized Black's death as a significant loss for Durham.

Black was appointed to the state House in 2017.

"MaryAnn Black made a powerful difference in the lives of North Carolinians through decades of service," House Speaker Tim Moore said in a statement.

She was not seeking re-election this year. The local Democratic Party will pick her replacement in the legislature.

North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Goodwin called her "a fierce advocate."

"She proudly served her local community long before joining the General Assembly and was committed to improving the lives of all North Carolinians – from raising wages to advocating for environmental justice to addressing the opioid epidemic," Goodwin said in a statement.

Suggest A Correction