2006 Peabody women who are builders of community and dreams are the
Peabody Chamber of Commerce's
Mary Upton Ferrin Award Winners

Builders of Community and Dreams Project

Mary Upton Ferrin
1810-1881

Peabody Chamber of Commerce

Peabody, Massachusetts

Women's History Month in Peabody: A Retrospective

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2003
NATALIE MAGA
by J.  Carenza

Mary Upton Ferrin, a nineteenth century resident of Peabody, was a magnificent woman.  She devoted her life to give women equal rights.  Mary Upton Ferrin died in 1881, forty years before the nineteenth amendment gave women the right to vote.  In honor of this fine woman, the Peabody Chamber of Commerce created an award for women who are builders of communities and dreams.  Natalie Maga is one of these women.

Maga was born on February 11, 1944 in Peabody, Massachusetts.  At the age of thirteen, Maga wanted to become a secretary.  She attended the Thomas Carroll Elementary School and the Peabody Veterans Memorial High School.  A Peabody native, Maga knows the ins and outs of the city.

In 1965, at the age of 21, Maga was appointed Assistant City Clerk.  Twelve years later, Maga was appointed City Clerk.  She was the first female department head in the city of Peabody. 

 

Lions student interviews
Natalie Maga, April 3, 2006

Maga's mother motivated her the most and was a very important role model.  Maga says, "My mom was very special.  She was always there for us and always had the right answers."

Maga describes herself as friendly, loving, considerate and caring.  She is an upstanding citizen, mother of two children and a grandmother. 

Maga believes that the role of women in our community today is very important.  She said, "Back then, women did not have the same equal rights as the men had and women need to take advantage of it today."

Natalie Maga was motivated to work hard within her community because she loves Peabody and its diversity.  She believes that her most outstanding contribution to the community has been helping the residents and working with the public.