Mae was born in the little town of Red Springs, NC. Her mother moved her “kicking and screaming” to Orange County in 1964. She now cannot imagine living anywhere else.
She was educated in the Chapel Hill Carrboro City Schools. She earned a BA in Sociology and Master of Social Work from UNC- Chapel Hill. Her employment history includes working with NC Department of Correction (now Public Safety) where she retired with 25+ years of service. Other positions after retirement include serving as Volunteer Coordinator at Durham County Cooperative Extension, Habitat for Humanity of Orange County and Interfaith Council for Social Service. She is currently employed part-time as a Facility/Activity Supervisor, Town of Carrboro’s Recreation and Parks Department.
As a volunteer coordinator Mae practices “what she preaches” and learned from her mother about giving back. Some of her past civic activities include serving on Chapel Hill Planning Board; Orange County Board of Social Services, Board of Directors of Inter-Faith Council for Social Services and, NC Inmate Grievance Resolution Board.
Her current activities include serving as Coordinator and member Planning Committee for Chapel Hill Carrboro CROP Hunger Walk, and, member Orange County Affordable Housing Advisory Board. She is very active in her church, St. Paul AME in Chapel Hill, serving as member of Steward Board, member of Usher Board, member of Duhart-Clark Women Missionary Society, unofficial photographer and editor of e-newsletter which she started and sends out weekly to members.
She has been active in local politics since 1968 serving in various positions on the precinct, county and state level. Her association memberships include NAACP (Chapel Hill – Carrboro Branch); American Correctional Association; NC Correctional Association; NC Association of Volunteer Administration, and State Employees Association of NC.
Her awards and recognitions include Marsha Riddle Lifetime Achievement Award from the NC Association of Volunteer Administration; Irene Briggarmen Lifetime Achievement Award from Chapel Hill Carrboro Chamber of Commerce; Mildred Berkley Outstanding Service Award, Inter Faith Council for Social Service ; Rebecca Clark Community Service Award from the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Branch NAACP, Mary C. Terrell Service Award from National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, the H. G. “Gus” Moeller Outstanding Service Award from the NC Correctional Association, and Outstanding Contributor to Volunteerism from the International Association of Justice Volunteerism.
Mae is the daughter of the late Amos and Martha McLendon. She had two sisters Hattie Miles (deceased) and Helen Galbreath. She is the proud mother of Anissa “Niecy” McLendon.