Albany: Are You Wondering Why Flags Are Flying at Half-Staff?

ALBANY, CA — Alameda County Board of Supervisors President Scott Haggerty ordered the flags be flown at half-staff at all County facilities this week to honor Mary C. Warren, who passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 6 at the age of 94. Warren was arguably the most accomplished government professional in the state of California. She both lived and served in Alameda County for more than 50 years.

“On behalf of Alameda County, I extend my condolences to Mary’s family and friends,” said Supervisor Scott
Haggerty. “I am deeply saddened by this loss. Mary was a truly extraordinary human being. She led a lifetime
of civic service, through which she touched countless lives, instilling positive change and progression. Mary
made Alameda County, and our country, a better place to live. She will most certainly be missed.”

Mary C. Warren, an eight year veteran of the United States Navy, lived life as an unassuming trailblazer for
women. During her career with the United States Post Office (USPS), she worked through the ranks, ultimately becoming one of the highest ranking women. Through appointment by President John F. Kennedy, Warren served as Deputy Director of Personnel for the USPS. It was in this role that she co-authored the first labor contract for the USPS, as well as, the first affirmative action proposal for the U.S. government. She remained with the USPS during the President Lyndon Johnson years, and was appointed by President Johnson to serve on the U.S. Civil Rights Commission.

During the 1970’s and early 1980’s, she held senior staff positions in the offices of State Senator Nick Petris
and U.S Senator John Tunney among others.

Warren served as Chair of the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee and Vice Chair of the
California Democratic Party. She was the first woman chairperson of the Oakland Chamber of Commerce
and also served eight years as an elected Director with the East Bay Municipal Utility District. She volunteered her time to serve on numerous committees she considered to be critical to the growth and development of Oakland, and sat on every youth and education committee she could.

Warren was still an active member of the Board of Commissioners for the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Joint Powers Authority, and served on the Board for the Alameda County One Hundred Club, the Summit
Bank Foundation Board and many other civic activities.

“The list of titles and accolades Mary received over her lifetime is immense, and fully warranted, but it only
speaks to a mere fraction of the impact and legacy she leaves behind,” said Supervisor Haggerty. “She was a
legend decades before her final years, and I feel deeply honored to have known her.”

November 16, 2011 was declared it “Mary C. Warren Day” by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. The
Alameda County District Attorney’s Office has honored her legacy of public service and leadership through the Mary C. Warren Fellowship; two fellowships are awarded annually to young qualified women who are
interested in pursuing careers in leadership and law.

Mary C. Warren is survived by her family, friends and Alameda County. Services will be held at 1:00pm on Saturday, August 13 at Saint Augustine Catholic Church in Pleasanton. In lieu of flowers, a donation in herhonor can be made to the Mary C. Warren Fellowship or any charity of choice.

Donations to the Mary C. Warren Fellowship should be mailed to:
ACFJC
470 - 27th Street
Oakland, CA 94612
Checks should be made out to “ACFJC Foundation” with "MCW Fellowship" listed on the memo line.

—Announcement from Alameda County; Image via Shutterstock