In 1979, Birdie Malbory was the first Black Woman to run for a seat on the Lowell City Council. When asked why she was running for office, Malbory stated, “It is time for a change”. Her personal motto was: “Treat all people with equality.” Despite vandalism and the torching of her campaign offices, she ran for office four more times (1981, 1983, 1985 and 1989).
While in Lowell, Malbory worked with anti-poverty and social services programs directly and as an evaluator with Community Teamwork, Inc.
Malbory was a proponent of community-led programs and advocated for a rent control board. In 1975, she also developed the Soul Black Sixteen - Black Culture Group, which was intended to fill a need for young Black men and women to learn about Black heritage, develop talent, and promote Black entertainment.
Her story is an important chapter in Lowell's political history.
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