Maryann Mahaffey, who taught at Wayne State's School of Social Work from 1965 to 1990 and was named professor emerita, died Thursday at the age of 81. Mrs. Mahaffey, who in 2002 established a School of Social Work scholarship in her name, was a key political figure in Detroit throughout much of her life. In 1970, she ran for a seat on the Wayne County Commission, and although she didn't win the seat, she set a precedent for women in local politics. Mrs. Mahaffey was later elected to the Detroit City Council in 1973. During her 31 years on the council, she served 12 as president and retired in 2005. A sidebar lists her educational and professional history including Wayne State affiliations.