Mary E. McAllister is a Democratic member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state's forty-third House district, including constituents in Cumberland county. An executive from Fayetteville, North Carolina, McAllister is currently (2003-2004 session) serving in her seventh term in the state House.

The committees that she is on are Appropriations, Appropriations Subcommittee on Natural and Economic Resources, Children, Youth and Families, Education, Education Subcommittee on Universities, Health,  Juvenile Justice and local government. 

Motivated parents and grandparents inspired Mary to set high education and career goals.  The eldest of eight children, she was born and reared in Fayetteville.  After twenty-one years of teaching elementary school she took a bold step and switched careers.

Mary founded Operation Sickle Cell, thirty-four years ago.  Since 1971 she has served as Executive Director of that organization.  Her desire for all citizens to fully participate at the table of equality regardless of gender or ethnicity propelled her into elected public service. 

She was twice elected to the Cumberland County Board of Commission, having the distinction of being the first African American serving as Chairman.

Mary again penetrated the ceiling of public service by being the first African American woman elected member of the Cumberland County Legislative Delegation.  She is in her eight term in North Carolina House of Representatives.  Mary’s advocacy for Fayetteville State University (FSU) and North Carolina’s other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) is well known among her peers. 

She is the lone FSU graduate to serve on the County Board of Commissioners and in the North Carolina General Assembly.  In 2002, Mary was awarded an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from FSU.

Mary is an amazing community and national leader who has accomplished much for humanity.  She is a shining example of hard work and a sense of duty turned into passion and triumph.