Mary Anne Butters has spent a lifetime insisting that government work in the open, and that ordinary people use their voices. A journalist turned public servant, Butters moved from the newsroom to city hall, from advertising executive to Wayne County commissioner, carrying with her a deep belief in transparency, equity, and civic responsibility. In this episode of the WWN podcast, she reflects with Kate on growing up in a family steeped in political activism, her unexpected path into public office, and what she learned after 12 years in that role. From shining light on backroom deals to urging citizens to show up, speak up, and run for office themselves, Butters offers a frank, personal look at power, protest, and what it takes to keep a democracy alive. Enjoy!
Note: This conversation was recorded in November 2025.
Transcript
The transcript for this episode is coming soon – please check back.