Updated: March 14, 2007

Women's History Month – Azalea Maddix

Azalea Maddix began her career at DEP in 1987 as a construction laborer. A native New Yorker, she grew up enamored with her mother’s handiwork around the house. This fascination soon became a professional dream, and after attending a non-traditional school for women, Mothers and Daughters, Azalea began construction work as a DEP employee.

Twenty years later, her expertise in construction has led her to a position as a Senior Community Liaison worker in DEP’s emergency call center. Similar to a 911 operator, Azalea manages noise and air complaints as well as emergency calls regarding water main breaks and sewer collapses. She guides crises towards resolution, providing DEP workers in the field with critical information and updating management on the progress of responses.

After twenty years at DEP, Azalea reflects on her diverse and distinguished career fondly. Her advice to young women is to “pursue your dreams regardless of whether or not they are traditional.” She also offers thanks to DEP for “giving a young African American woman the opportunity to make her dreams come true.”